Kermit Davis, MTSU agree to new contract

MURFREESBORO — Not even a year after getting an extension, Middle Tennessee State men's basketball coach Kermit Davis has agreed to a new contract.

The deal announced Friday will run through 2024 and puts Davis at a $750,000 total salary ($575,000 base, $175,000 in TV and radio obligations).

Davis agreed to a $565,000 extension in July.

The Daily News Journal  first reported on new contract talks between Davis and MTSU officials on Sunday following Saturday's exit from this year's NCAA tournament.

"It was an easy decision," Davis said Friday. "For my (wife) Betty and my family.

"Murfreesboro is our home, we really appreciate the support and I'm excited to get back to work."

MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro said there were schools that were gathering info on Davis although Massaro was never directly approached.

Davis decided to stay in the city he's called home for 15 years and plans to build MTSU's national profile.

"We're trying to increase the brand of Conference USA as well," Davis said. "That's what we have to get to."

This was the first MTSU men's basketball squad to be ranked. It entered the USA Today coaches poll in the final week of the regular season.

MTSU won the Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles and became the first squad in school history to make it to the second round of the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years.

Since joining MTSU in 2002, Davis has posted a 307-180 record, and he has won 74 percent of his games over the past six seasons.

He's been to three NCAA tournaments, the most out of any MTSU head coach, in the past six seasons and will see his 52nd consecutive player receive his degree this May.

He continues to add to his legacy as the winningest coach in MTSU men's basketball history.

"This new contract clearly shows our commitment to the men's basketball program," Massaro said in a news release. "Keeping Coach Davis and his staff is our best chance at continued success and growth. We like the direction of the program and believe in Coach Davis' vision.

"I also want to thank a number of our donors who stepped up and contributed to make this possible. They realize the progression of our program and were more than willing to help renew our commitment to Coach Davis."

Reach Aldo Amato at agamato@dnj.com and follow him on Twitter @Aldo_Amato.