The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
What others are saying about Mike Davis
4/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 7, 2006
What others are saying about Mike Davis ...
"Mike Davis will be in a comfort zone being back in the state where he was Mr. Basketball as a high school sensation. His contacts from his playing days at Alabama and during his recruiting days at Indiana will play a vital role in helping the Blazers to battle for honors in Conference USA. Davis will benefit from his experience as head coach at the prestigious Indiana basketball program. He is a perfect choice to represent UAB."
- Dick Vitale, ESPN
"It is hard to imagine a better fit than Mike Davis and UAB. Mike is extremely well-respected by his peers for his keen basketball intellect as well as his caring personality, and as an Alabama native he will have a unique comfort level in his new community. Mike emerged from a very difficult situation at Indiana with his reputation intact, especially for the classy way in which he handled its conclusion. The folks in Birmingham are going to love their new coach, but they will especially love the way his teams play. I congratulate Mike Davis on his new job, and I commend UAB for making such a smart hire."
- Seth Davis, CBS Sports/CSTV
"This is a great hire for UAB. Mike Davis did an extremely good job at Indiana under some difficult circumstances. His teams were always very good defensively and were efficient in running many pro-type offensive sets. I expect Mike to have great success at UAB."
- Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State University
"I've always thought this was the perfect place for Mike. He's now in his wheelhouse for recruiting. He could recruit to Indiana but he'll be in his comfort zone. I'd be shocked if Mike isn't a big hit in Birmingham. He's been a winner at Indiana and he'll be one at UAB. The Blazers were an NCAA team under Mike Anderson. I don't see that changing under Mike Davis.''
- Andy Katz, ESPN.com
"Mike Davis is a quality person. He was in a very difficult situation before in replacing one of the top coaches of all-time, and I don't think he gets the proper credit for what he accomplished under those circumstances. His teams are always well coached and compete, and I wish him well at UAB."
- Bruce Weber, Head Coach, University of Illinois
"I think it's an ideal hire. Different jobs are suited for different coaches and while Mike may have not been the perfect fit in Bloomington, he is coming home to a place he knows and respects, and one in which he can be successful. This situation is the perfect opportunity for both him and for UAB. The Blazers went out and got a coach who has been handed invaluable experience coaching at highest level of college basketball. That is something that, quite frankly, any other candidate they could have brought in would not have."
- Doug Gottlieb, ESPN
"Coach Davis was a tremendous mentor during my career. He really helped me with my confidence to handle any situation on the court."
- Jared Jeffries, 2002 Big Ten MVP
2002 First Round Pick, Washington Wizards
