Larry Davis

[dmuc2000]

I know that there are probably some great reasons why Mick hired Larry Davis, but can someone please fill me in?  From the outside, this doesn't look like such a great hire (to me).
 
He is a nine year head coach at Furman, and has a 124-139 career record there (losing record)?
 
Well, as I am typing this...I am doing some research.  Check out his bio on this link.http://furmanpaladins.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/davis_larry02.html
 
I at first wanted to see some sexy names...like former UC players (Corie, Andre Tate) or at least someone from a successful smaller school.  But then I found some solid reasons why Mick got Davis.
 
1.) He was an assistant at Minnesota prior to Furman "where he played a key role in the recruitment of several outstanding players, including 1996 Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Player-of-the-Year Bobby Jackson, All-American Quincy Lewis, and standout Charles Thomas."
 
2.) Experience: Prior to his stint at Minnesota, Davis served in assistant coaching capacities at Ball State University (1993-94), Wake Forest University (1989-93), and the University of Delaware (1985-89).
 
3.) Nancy will like him. "Larry Davis is uniquely qualified to lead the Furman basketball program. He is excellent in every phase of the job -- academic development, coaching skills, recruiting, media relations, fund-raising -- he can truly do it all. His greatest asset, however, is deep commitment to his players and their development as people, both on and off the basketball court." 
 
4.) He can recruit Foreign players...something UC has never done. At present four of Davis' former players -- Karim Souchu (Belgium), Guilherme Da Luz (Brazil), and Maleye Ndoye (France), and Nick Sanders (Holland) are playing professional ball. All-Southern Conference forward Maleye Ndoye also.
 
5.) And perhaps more importantly, he has some recruiting connections.  "A year later (after graduate degree) he moved on to prep basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., where in two seasons he compiled an outstanding 51-9 record while developing the talents of a dozen future NCAA Division I players. His 1985 squad, which ranked fifth nationally, included Parade All-Americans Rod Strickland (DePaul) and Michael Jones (Auburn).   
 
Granted a lot of Oak Hill guys didn't go to Furman, but the chance of them coming to UC are much higher, simply because it's a MAJOR school.
 
 
If Mick can recruit the Adidas circuit, local circuit and Davis can recruit Oak Hill and Foreign players...then UC is in for loads of talent coming there way.  Mick is setting up an infrastructure.
 
As opposed to Huggins.  He's putting all his eggs in one basket.  What happens after OJ, Walker, and Beasley go pro after 1 year and he's stuck with a staff of all their relatives/coaches?
 
Any other thoughts?