Ole Miss, Kermit Davis agree to four-year contract extension

Longtime men's college basketball coach Kermit Davis and the University of Mississippi have agreed to a four-year contract extension that will keep the 61-year-old with the program through at least 2025. Davis is about to begin his fourth season at the helm of the Rebels.

"Starting with his first season when he was SEC Coach of the Year, Coach Davis has increased the expectations of Ole Miss basketball," athletic director Keith Carter said in a statement. "Recruiting has never been better as he has signed some of the top prospects in school history. We're excited to see the team continue to rise under his guidance, competing for SEC championships and making runs in the NCAA Tournament."

Davis played two seasons for Ole Miss in the early 1980s, scoring 12 career points in 45 minutes played over 14 contests. He earned his first division one men's college basketball head coaching gig in 1988, when he joined the University of Idaho and went 50-12 over two seasons with the Vandals, winning two Big Sky conference tournament championships.

Davis spent the 1990-1991 at the head of the Texas A&M program, but went just 8-21. The eight wins and .276 winning percentage from his lone season with the Aggies are the lowest of his career.

Davis rejoined Idaho for the 1996-97 campaign, but finished 13-17. He joined Middle Tennessee State University in 2002 for what would be a 16-year run. During his time with the Blue Raiders, Davis went 332-188, good for a .638 winning percentage, and won six regular season championships, two conference tournament titles and earned three NCAA tournament bids.

In 2016, Davis picked up his first career NCAA tournament victory, as No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee stunned second-seeded Michigan State in the opening round. The following season, the 12th-seeded Blue Raiders upset No. 5 Minnesota in the first round.

Davis earned the SEC Coach of the Year award following his first season with Ole Miss after posting a 20-13 record and making the NCAA Tournament. In 93 career games with the Rebels, Davis has registered a 51-42 mark.