Ewu Wants Davis Utah State Assistant Isn’t Talking, But Will Decide On Job Over Weekend

Kermit Davis has been offered the men’s basketball head coaching job at Eastern Washington University and will decide this weekend whether to accept it, a source close to the situation said Friday.

EWU, which had narrowed its search to Davis, Seattle Pacific head coach Ken Bone and Kansas State assistant Steve Aggers, is expected to name John Wade’s successor as early as Monday.

Davis would not comment. The former Idaho coach is an assistant to Larry Eustachy at Utah State. Davis coached UI to a 50-12 record from 1988-90, winning 25 games each season, then left to coach Texas A&M.

He lasted one season in College Station, going 8-21 before resigning in March 1991 amid allegations of recruiting violations. Davis then spent three years at a Florida junior college before joining Utah State.

Among the issues that remain unsettled between Davis and EWU are his salary and the recruiting budget, the source indicated. Davis earns about $55,000 per year at Utah State, a figure set to increase next season.

EWU began its search April 5, after Wade was fired as head coach and resigned from the university as part of a $75,000 settlement. Wade, who went 34-98 in five seasons, will earn his $45,547 salary through June 30.

Davis interviewed for the EWU position Tuesday afternoon.

“It went good,” Davis said Tuesday night. “It was really informative on both sides. We just kind of left it on a positive note.

“I got a chance to meet with two of the players, Brett Thompson and Melvin Lewis. It seems like they have a positive outlook on what can happen for their team next year.”

Whether Davis will be part of that outlook is up to him.