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Former Middle Tennessee State basketball coach Kermit Davis, who led the Blue Raiders to the second round of the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons (2016 and 2017), has been named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame class of 2026.
Davis coached the Blue Raiders for 16 seasons (2002–2018), transforming the program into one of the nation's premier mid-major powers. He became the program’s all-time wins leader, finishing with more than 300 victories while producing a string of 20-plus-win campaigns, conference championships, and postseason appearances.
“Kermit Davis built a program that earned national respect and brought unforgettable moments to fans across Tennessee,” said Brad Willis, executive director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “His teams competed with toughness, discipline, and pride, and his leadership elevated Middle Tennessee basketball to historic heights.”
HOW KERMIT DAVIS OUTCOACHED BRYCE DREW: Kermit Davis outfoxed Bryce Drew, but Vanderbilt is no dog
Davis' most memorable win came on March 18, 2016, when the Blue Raiders stunned No. 2-seed Michigan State 90-81. MTSU lost to Syracuse in the second round, 75-50, finishing with a 25-10 record.
MTSU returned to the NCAA tournament in 2017 and defeated No. 5 seed Minnesota 81-72 in the first round. That team finished with a 31-5 record after losing to Butler, 75-64.
MTSU also earned an NCAA tournament berth under Davis in 2013.
Davis, 66, a Leakesville, Mississippi native, posted a 332-188 career record over 16 seasons (2002-18) at MTSU. His teams had six 20-win seasons, including the 2016-17 team, which went 31-5.
Along with their NCAA tournament berths, the Blue Raiders went to the NIT twice under Davis. They advanced to the NIT quarterfinals in 2012 and to the second round in 2018. MTSU also went to the CIT in 2010 and 2015.
Davis led MTSU to the Sun Belt East Division championship in 2012 and 2013, a tie for the Conference USA championship in 2014, and the outright championship in 2017 and 2018.
Davis left MTSU for Ole Miss after the 2017-18 season. He went on to post a 74-79 record at Ole Miss through 2023.
Davis' career record is 477-317.
Davis joins Monica Abbott, Matt Cain, the late Reggie Cobb, Mike Clary, Antone Davis, Bubba Luckett, Charles McRae, and David Price as announced members of the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class. The full class will be announced over the coming weeks.
The 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be July 11 at the Omni Nashville Downtown. Ticket and event information will be announced at a later date.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former MTSU basketball coach Kermit Davis going into Tennessee Sports HOF
Continue reading...
Davis coached the Blue Raiders for 16 seasons (2002–2018), transforming the program into one of the nation's premier mid-major powers. He became the program’s all-time wins leader, finishing with more than 300 victories while producing a string of 20-plus-win campaigns, conference championships, and postseason appearances.
“Kermit Davis built a program that earned national respect and brought unforgettable moments to fans across Tennessee,” said Brad Willis, executive director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “His teams competed with toughness, discipline, and pride, and his leadership elevated Middle Tennessee basketball to historic heights.”
HOW KERMIT DAVIS OUTCOACHED BRYCE DREW: Kermit Davis outfoxed Bryce Drew, but Vanderbilt is no dog
Davis' most memorable win came on March 18, 2016, when the Blue Raiders stunned No. 2-seed Michigan State 90-81. MTSU lost to Syracuse in the second round, 75-50, finishing with a 25-10 record.
MTSU returned to the NCAA tournament in 2017 and defeated No. 5 seed Minnesota 81-72 in the first round. That team finished with a 31-5 record after losing to Butler, 75-64.
MTSU also earned an NCAA tournament berth under Davis in 2013.
Davis, 66, a Leakesville, Mississippi native, posted a 332-188 career record over 16 seasons (2002-18) at MTSU. His teams had six 20-win seasons, including the 2016-17 team, which went 31-5.
Along with their NCAA tournament berths, the Blue Raiders went to the NIT twice under Davis. They advanced to the NIT quarterfinals in 2012 and to the second round in 2018. MTSU also went to the CIT in 2010 and 2015.
Davis led MTSU to the Sun Belt East Division championship in 2012 and 2013, a tie for the Conference USA championship in 2014, and the outright championship in 2017 and 2018.
Davis left MTSU for Ole Miss after the 2017-18 season. He went on to post a 74-79 record at Ole Miss through 2023.
Davis' career record is 477-317.
Davis joins Monica Abbott, Matt Cain, the late Reggie Cobb, Mike Clary, Antone Davis, Bubba Luckett, Charles McRae, and David Price as announced members of the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class. The full class will be announced over the coming weeks.
The 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be July 11 at the Omni Nashville Downtown. Ticket and event information will be announced at a later date.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former MTSU basketball coach Kermit Davis going into Tennessee Sports HOF
Continue reading...
