Bucknell University Athletics
Nathan Davis Introduced as Bucknell Head Men's Basketball Coach
4/21/2015 2:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Nathan Davis was introduced Monday afternoon as Bucknell's 21st head men's basketball coach at a press conference held in the McGee Room inside Sojka Pavilion. Davis was officially named to the post on Sunday evening after six-year stint at Randolph-Macon in which his teams compiled a 141-39 record and played in the NCAA Division III Tournament all six years.
"Dreams do come true," said Davis of the opportunity to coach at Bucknell, where he served as an assistant under Pat Flannery from 2003-08. "To have the honor of being the head men's basketball coach at Bucknell is a dream."
Bucknell is coming off its fourth Patriot League outright regular-season title in the last five years and its second all-time NIT appearance. The Bison finished 19-15 overall with a league-best 13-5 mark in conference play.
Davis met with his new team prior to the press conference, and he noted that he will be busy in the coming days scheduling individual offseason workouts, putting together his coaching staff and hitting the recruiting trail. Davis will also soon be gearing up for the May 8-9 Alumni Weekend, when the program will celebrate the 10th anniversity of its landmark NCAA Tournament victory over Kansas. Davis was on the bench in Oklahoma City for that game.
Watch the archive of today's press conference:
Photo gallery from today's press conference:
What they are saying about Nathan Davis:
Pat Flannery '80, Former Head Coach, Bucknell University
“When I hired Nathan, I really didn't know him. I had heard great things about him, and I was looking for someone outside our box with some new perspectives. The best thing about Nathan is that you just get to like him so quickly. He had a great relationship with our student-athletes. He knew what they were all about and where they were headed in their careers. I think the guys in the program now are just going to love him. He might come across as laid back, but he has a fire that burns inside. It's a tremendous hire. I know a ton of Bucknell faithful that are so excited, and as an alum and former coach I am one of them.”
Jay Wright '83, Head Coach, Villanova University
“Nathan is a proud member of the Bison Basketball Family who's had great success as a head coach and success in the Patriot League under Coach Flannery. The Bison Basketball alumni are fired up about Nathan's return to Lewisburg!”
Don DeVoe, Former Head Coach, United States Naval Academy
“Without a doubt Nathan is an accomplished young man who will do a great job at Bucknell. He came to us at the Naval Academy and I was immediately impressed by his work ethic. He understood and worked so well with everyone surrounding the program and did an outstanding job coaching on the floor. We made multiple Patriot League championship game appearances with Nathan a member of our staff, and when we elevated him to a full-time coach one of his responsibilities was to recruit the West Coast. He did a terrific job researching the players we wanted to join our team. He handled every task superbly. Everyone here at the Academy respected him. He was one of the most popular guys we ever had, and we missed his energy when he left us for Bucknell.”
Mike Rhoades, Head Coach, Rice University
“Bucknell has hit a home run in hiring Nathan Davis. He is exactly the type of person and coach you would want your son to play for. His record speaks for itself. To go beyond that, his relationships with players and those around the program is special. He will continue the great tradition of Bucknell basketball and move it forward. I'm excited to watch the future of Bison basketball.”
Carolyn Schlie Femovich, Executive Director, Patriot League
“We are very pleased to welcome Nathan back to Bucknell and the Patriot League. He has a strong understanding of the League and our scholar-athlete model having coached at three different Patriot League schools, and he brings a track record of success everywhere he has gone.”
Abe Badmus '07, Former Bucknell Men's Basketball Student-Athlete
“I can assure you his Bucknell teams will play with the same vigor on both ends of the floor that Coach Davis embodies. His work will be done in preparation. Coach Davis was infamous for holding guys accountable. You had to bring it in practice in order to earn his respect. I speak for many when I say we're glad to have him back.”
