Congratulations Coach Davis

Administrators were right to say Mike Davis earned his new title of head basketball coach, removing the "interim" label he's been carrying all year. Davis' performance in this more-than-difficult time for IU's basketball program showed he has what it takes to launch it to a new level.\nKeeping Davis was not only logical, it was the best choice for the players. These players have already had to deal with a major change in personnel in the last eight months; the last thing they needed was for the University to bring in a coach from outside. The players have spent the season adjusting to former men's basketball coach Bob Knight's absence and Davis' coaching style. They deserve some stability and consistency heading into spring conditioning.\nDavis clearly respects the sport of basketball. On the court, he looks professional. Although he gets upset at some calls, he is calm and respectful. Under incredible pressure from the University community and intense media scrutiny, Davis handled himself with grace. \nHe encourages his players to have fun while they play. Fans watch him cheer them on when they make good shots and encourage them to do better when they miss. He allows players more freedom on the court than they experienced under Knight. Dunking and grandstanding were unheard of last season, but now players are allowed to display their personalities on the court.\nAnd most of all, keeping Davis is good for the school. True, the start of the season was rocky, and the team played hit-or-miss basketball, beating teams no one thought it could and losing to teams it should have defeated easily.\nBut the end of the season is another story. In the end, Davis compiled a 21-13 record, finished second at the Big Ten tournament and received a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.\nDavis pulled together the players into a team that played the kind of basketball he wanted to see, and it's clear that this method is one that can work.\nHis record, his tournament standings and the players enthusiasm about him as their coach show that he has what it takes.\nThe next four years will be Davis' chance to prove himself again. This is his program now, officially.