IU should give Davis contract

March 21 of last year, then-interim men's basketball Head Coach Mike Davis was allowed to take the "interim" off his title and was named the first black head coach in the history of IU basketball. Davis signed a package valued at $400,000 per year, plus a first year summer camp guarantee of $100,000. The package also comes with the opportunity to earn additional income through future summer basketball camps.\n On paper, this looks like a great deal for Davis, especially considering the salary is double that of his predecessor. But there is one problem with this package, and the problem is Davis'. This is a deal lacking one important aspect -- a contract.\n According to the athletics department, the original terms of the March 21 executed agreement are currently in the review process. Some of the aspects of the "agreement" that are under such review include basketball camp operations and academic and team performance incentives. \nEnough reviewing. Give the man the contract he has earned.\nIt has been nearly eight months since the press conference that named Davis as the 25th head coach in the program's history, and Davis has not had the chance to sign on the dotted line. As of now, Davis is working under a memorandum that states the basics of the agreement and makes sure he gets paid, but where is the job security in that?\nNobody likes to be in limbo in decisions that not only affect their well-being, but their family's as well. This is Davis' life that the athletics department is taking its time to review. Not only does this contract support him, but it also supports his wife Tamilya, his 19-year-old daughter Lateesha, his 16-year-old son Mike Jr. and his three-year-old son Antoine.\nWhile it is understandable that legal processes get in the way of a quick signing involving over half a million dollars, the athletics department and those responsible in drawing up the contract need to take into consideration the human factor here. Davis has more than earned a contract providing him job security and officially naming him as the Hoosiers' head coach.\nDavis came into an extremely difficult situation after the firing of Bob Knight and performed exceptionally. In his first season he lead the team to a fifth place regular season finish in the Big Ten and pushed the Hoosiers to the final game in the conference tournament -- something Knight never did. He led the team to a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, the highest for IU since 1993, and has recruited some of the nation's best players, including Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland.\nDavis should not have to wait any longer for what he rightfully deserved. Give him his contract and the "official" title as the head coach of IU basketball.