HOWARD — Jim Davis can’t get away from coaching.
Only days after deciding to step down as East Knox girls varsity basketball coach, Davis has accepted the same role for the boys team.
It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“I had already decided to step away,” Davis told the News. “But then, (East Knox athletic director) Derick Busenberg called me and told me that (former EK boys coach) Don McDaniel had stepped down. He offered me the position. I had to take it.”
McDaniel stepped down after four seasons as the Bulldogs’ coach. It ended with a disastrous 1-20 season that saw bumps and bruises pile up. Davis accepts the position after leading the girls for two seasons.
“I talked with my family about it,” said Davis. “I’ve had nothing but positive things from everyone. Of course, my girls (on the team) didn’t like it.”
This was an opportunity of a lifetime, literally, for Davis. He has coached boys before; he ran the junior high team at Newark Catholic and, later, the freshmen team. His first varsity head coaching job was at East Knox.
“I’ve always wanted to be a head coach at the high school level,” said Davis. “I got the chance two years ago. Now I finally have this.”
Davis has been working with some of the team members during summer camps. The Bulldogs bring back a bulk of talent from last season, including a number of underclassmen who can step up as soon as this coming season. Davis said the boys team fits well with his coaching scheme.
“We like to run and we like to press,” Davis explained. “Last year, we didn’t have the numbers. The girls could run, but we weren’t really able to press. So far, I’m impressed with the boys I’ve seen. We should be able to run and press.”