We are keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that we can return to a “normal” version of college basketball this fall: fans in the stands, announcers without masks, etc. Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen but we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. We continue our coverage with Bellarmine coach Scott Davenport. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach Davenport about making the leap to D-1 and his expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Louisville and 1 of your players when you coached at Ballard High School was Allan Houston: could you tell at the time that he was going to become an Olympic gold medalist? He was incredibly talented but was an even better person. He was a great student who graduated in 4 years but was also a great teammate: he still does Zoom calls with our guys as he tries to make them better.
You later worked as an assistant to Denny Crum/Rick Pitino at Louisville: what was the most important thing that you learned from these 2 legends? If they came to watch our practice last weekend I think they would have shaken their heads after leaving and said they could not believe that I ran that drill! However, they taught me that if you put the players 1st then you can never go wrong. I am the luckiest guy that has coached any sport on any level. I have never had a “job”: I see it as an avocation.
In 2011 you were named D-2 national COY and had a 3-PT win over BYU-Hawaii in the D-2 title game: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor, and what did it mean to you to win a title? The film proves it: I shook the opposing coach’s hand and then wanted to stand far away from the court so I could see the big picture. When you push kids hard while also supporting them it is the greatest emotional paycheck that you can cash. We have a postseason theme that our seniors never want to take that jersey off for the final time. I got back to the locker room and 1 of my players was sobbing uncontrollably: I asked him what was wrong and he said that he could not take that jersey off. A “program” is about having a plan for academics/scheduling/etc., but a “culture” is about having your family there. There is more than 1 way to be successful..but we have never had a semester with a team GPA under 3.0.
Last year you made the leap to D-1: what is the biggest difference between D-2 and D-1? The physicality: there is no question, as we were 0-22 in warmups! We led the nation for several years in FG% while in D-2…and last year we were #3 in D-1, which was amazing. Everyone said that it was because we had a bunch of guys who could shoot the ball, but the key is passing/shot selection. You need to coach your players to take the best shot: the players deserve the credit.
In the 2021 CBI you beat Army before losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Pepperdine: what did your team learn from that postseason run that will help them this year? Success breeds success and in every walk of life experience is the greatest teacher. The players are excited: show me someone who loves their job and I will show you someone who is probably very good at it. Caring is a very special talent and we place a huge emphasis on that value.
Your son Doug is your former player/current assistant: what is the best part of having him on your staff, and what is the not-so-best part (if any)? I called him in during his senior year to discuss his many future opportunities. He told me that he wanted to become a basketball coach and started as a grad assistant to Chris Mack before becoming a video coordinator for Coach Pitino. There is no downside: we differ sometimes on how the game should be played but that is okay. I am prouder of him as a son than as a player/coach. It is all about family here, which is very rewarding: my 3-year old granddaughter even has her favorite player!
Your brutal non-conference schedule includes games at Purdue/St. Mary’s/Gonzaga/UCLA/West Virginia: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Every game will be a test. Our players deserve those opportunities and they appreciate them.
You are the winningest coach in school history: how long do you plan on sticking around for? They have not yet invented the device to discourage me from coaching! I tell our recruits that the day I think I “have” to go to work rather than “get” to go to work I will spring up the ramp and run right out of the gym. When I was younger I made the 9th grade team as an 8th grader, which was a very big thing. We had to wear a tie on game days but all I had was a clip-on tie: my mom bought me a new tie and my coach taught me how to tie it because my dad passed away when I was younger. Every time I tie a tie I still think of my coach: coaching found me and I wear my coaches out while getting them to help me. Getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
I heard a rumor that the ringtone on your cell phone is “One Shining Moment” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfzJ3nT94c4): is that true, and why did you choose that song? It is the greatest song ever! I grew up down the street from Churchill Downs, which is the greatest 2 minutes in sports, but March Madness is even better. People make fun of me but I take pride in that. When you work hard for 49 weeks a year, it makes the other 3 weeks in March feel special.
What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? We always take everything as it comes in segments. Earlier this month we had individual instruction, and next week we start preseason practice. I know good basketball and I like what I see. We have 5 new freshmen this year and I like seeing them build each other up from within. This year it is about belief: a lot of facets of society would be better with that. The players are the answer.