Colgate Fires Men's Coach Davis

Emmett Davis was upbeat and looking to the future after being let go as Colgate University’s men’s basketball coach Wednesday.

He is proud of what he’s done and he hopes to coach again.

“I had a great 13 years at Colgate,” said Davis, the winningest basketball coach in Raider history. “I’m really proud of what we accomplished. I wish I could have gone on for another 20 years. Mark Murphy, the athletic director who hired me, I thank him for the opportunity. I thank all the great players I’ve had over the years, many who have gone on to be successful. Colgate is a great place to coach.”

Davis had a 165-212 record in 13 seasons. Colgate, three years removed from an appearance in the Patriot League title game, was 7-23 this season, and 4-10 in the league. The school released a statement Wednesday that he had been released from his contract. Colgate also announced that women’s basketball coach Pamela Bass resigned.

Athletic director David Roach declined to discuss the situation.

“We don’t make any statements or comments about personnel decisions,” he said.

A Gloversville native and former St. Lawrence University player, Davis was a longtime assistant at Navy before being hired at Colgate. He replaced Jack Bruen, who died during the 1997-98 season. Davis’ 2001-02 Raider team went 17-11 and tied for third in the Patriot League, and the 2007-08 team was 18-14, setting a school record for wins in a season and before being defeated by American University in the league championship game.

Davis expressed gratitude to his assistant coaches – two former ones, Brian Regan at Pittsubrgh and Rod Balanis at Notre Dame, are in this year’s NCAA tournament - administrators and fans.

“The outstanding support from the community for me and my family has been unbelievable,” he said. “I want to thank those folks for that.”

Davis, 51, said he isn't sure what path he’ll take next.

“I’ve got a lot of experience,” he said. “I’ve recruited nationally for 25 years; I have contacts all over the country. I want to stay in coaching, and get another opportunity to be a head coach.”

Bass, who played at Brown University and came to Colgate after one season as head coach at Longwood University, had a 23-95 overall record and 8-48 Patriot League mark in four seasons.

“I am very proud of the growth of the program,” Bass said in a press release. “We have upgraded the program in a number of ways, in particular in recruiting, and I am looking forward to seeing the program flourish in the years ahead.”