COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech basketball programs
are on solid ground, with women’s head coach Jim Davis and
men’s head coach Steve Payne receiving contract extensions
that will keep each directing his program through the 2019
season.
The contract extensions were announced by Director of Athletics
Mark Wilson.
“If you look at our basketball programs, you see two head
coaches who are men of outstanding character, who are teaching and
coaching our student-athletes to be successful on-and-off the
court, and whose programs are not only challenging for conference
championships but are also exciting for our fans and alumni to
watch, cheer for and support.” Wilson said.
“We’re extremely excited to make this announcement,
and we think great things are in store for both of our basketball
teams in the years to come,” Wilson added
Davis heads into third season at TTU helm
Jim Davis was named in July of 2012, and is only the fifth head
coach in the 44-year history of women’s basketball at
Tennessee Tech. In his first season at Tech, he guided his team to
a first-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference East
Division.
“It’s important to me, first of all, to know that we
have the confidence of our administration in Mark Wilson and Dr.
Oldham, and the fact that they believe what we are doing is the
right thing for Tennessee Tech,” Davis said of the contract
extension.
“That’s comforting to me, plus I think it gives our
players a sense of stability. It ought to help us in recruiting. If
we can keep this staff together -- we have a wonderful coaching
staff -- if I can keep this staff together I think you are going to
see some really good things happening in women’s basketball
at Tennessee Tech.”
Davis feels the contract is an indication that the direction he
has the program headed is the right direction.
“Oh, I do. I really like this basketball team we have this
year,” he said. “In terms of character and quality of
play and competitiveness, I think you are going to see a big, big
difference on the basketball court so I really like this team and
the direction this team is taking us.”
And keeping Davis at the helm can be a factor in recruiting.
“No question about that. You can tell by looking at me that
I’m not a spring chicken. I’m asked ‘how much
longer are you going to be coaching,’ so this contract
extension is something we can share with people that ask that
question.
“Now, is that to say that I’m going to be here until
2019? Nobody knows but the good Lord above and I could be out of
here tomorrow, but so could the coach at every other school in the
OVC,” he said. “Nobody knows. I know one thing; a lot
of those young coaches out there are looking to move up using the
job in the OVC as a stepping-stone. I’m not looking to use a
job in the OVC as a stepping-stone. I want to finish my coaching
career here at Tennessee Tech. So I’m happy about
that.”
A native of Englewood, Tenn., Davis’ coaching resume prior
to Tech includes junior high and high school positions, a brilliant
six-year span at Roane State Community College, one championship
year at Middle Tennessee State, 18 highly successful seasons at
Clemson University, a year in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx, and
two seasons as an assistant coach at Young Harris College in
Georgia.
Payne in his fourth year as head coach
Steve Payne, who served as the associate head coach of the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball program for nine years, is now in his fourth season as the Golden Eagle head coach. Payne came to Tech in 2002 as assistant coach under Mike Sutton, and was the top assistant on the staff for nine years, rising to the post of associate head coach.
“I am excited to be able to continue what we’ve
started, and excited about the direction our program is
headed,” Payne said. “I’m grateful that the
leadership of our university and our athletic department feels the
same way.
“I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg of what we
can do in Athletics at Tennessee Tech, and within our men’s
basketball program,” Payne said. “I appreciate the
loyalty and the faith that they’ve placed in me.”
On the brink of the new season, Payne looks back on recent years
and sees indications that the Golden Eagles are on the rise.
“Beating Belmont last year here at home was definitely a
turning point,” he said. “We knew in Year One when we
went to semifinals and lost to a great Murray State team that we
had set a solid foundation. But, we lost a lot of great players
from that team.
“Last year was another step up for us, and we finished the
year very strong. We’re on the uptick right now and
we’re looking forward to keeping it going.”
Not only does Payne see success on the court, he has also seen his
players respond with excellence in the classroom.
“We were over 3.0 last year for our combined team GPA, which
was the highest GPA in the history of the program,” he said.
“We had an Academic All-American in Dennis Ogbe.
There’s no question we’re on the right track.
We’re improving our talent level, and I think we are
competing at the highest level in the Ohio Valley Conference. With
the support of the administration and the support of the community,
we re looking forward to winning a conference championship and
going to the NCAA Tournament.”
A graduate of Russell County High School in Russell Springs, Ky.,
Payne earned his bachelor’s degree from Union College in
Barbourville, Ky. in 1990.
The Golden Eagles are both in preseason mode, getting ready to
open the 2014-15 season with an exhibition doubleheader on
Thursday, Nov. 6.
