Mike Davis is officially back in the head coaching ranks.
Mississippi Valley State University seems poised to tab the veteran coach as the new leader of its men’s basketball program, , but nothing has been officially announced, per Jason Munoz of the Commercial Appeal. The hiring of Davis would signal a major reset for a team looking to climb out of the basement of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Davis will be stepping into one of the most challenging situations in Division I basketball. The Delta Devils are coming off a brutal 3–30 campaign, a season that underscored the steep climb ahead for whoever took over the program. Now, that responsibility belongs to a coach with both high-major experience and a history of navigating adversity.
A Veteran Presence Takes Over
Davis brings a wealth of experience to Itta Bena. He is best known for his time at Indiana University, where he led the Hoosiers to the national championship game in 2002. In his first season at UAB in 2011, Coach Davis led the Blazers to the regular season championship and was named Conference USA Coach of the Year that same season.
The SWAC is familiar territory for Coach Davis. He coached Texas Southern from 2012-18 , helping the Tigers win four regular season championships ( 2013, 2015-17) and led Texas Sputhern to a quartet of SWAC Tournament crowns ( 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018).
Most recently, Davis served as an assistant coach at University of Memphis, staying connected to recruiting pipelines across the South—an asset that could prove critical in his latest role.
A Program in Need of a Turnaround
Mississippi Valley State has long been one of the toughest jobs in college basketball. Limited resources, recruiting challenges, and recent on-court struggles have made sustained success elusive. The program’s recent results only reinforce that reality.
Davis would take over for George Ivory III, who went 12-118 in his four seasons at Valley, including a 3-30 mark in 2025-26.
However, Davis’ familiarity with the SWAC landscape and HBCU basketball could give MVSU a fighting chance to become competitive again. His previous stint at Texas Southern showed he can win within the conference, and his name recognition may help attract transfers and overlooked talent.
What Success Looks Like
For Davis, success won’t be measured immediately in wins and losses. Instead, early benchmarks will likely include:
- Establishing a competitive identity
- Improving player development
- Building a sustainable recruiting pipeline
If those elements fall into place, the wins should eventually follow.
Final Thoughts
This hire is less about instant results and more about long-term stability. Mississippi Valley State is betting that experience, leadership, and familiarity with the HBCU landscape can help reverse its fortunes.
For Davis, it’s another opportunity to prove he can build—and rebuild—a program from the ground up.
