Kermit Davis Sr.
 Davis in 1977 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 2, 1935 Walnut, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | August 10, 2026 (aged 91) Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1955–1959 | Mississippi State |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1962–1966 | Tupelo HS (MS) |
| 1966–1970 | Mississippi State (assistant) |
| 1970–1977 | Mississippi State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 91–91 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| SEC Coach of the Year (1971) | |
Kermit Davis Sr. (August 2, 1935 – August 10, 2026) was an American college basketball player and coach.
Early life and career
Davis was born in Walnut, Mississippi,[1] the son of John and Pauline Davis. He played high school basketball at Walnut High School from 1951 to 1955. He then enrolled at Mississippi State University to play college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He was on the team from 1955 to 1959, and was captain of the team in 1959. He earned his bachelor's degree and his master's degree at Mississippi State, and was an ROTC officer.[2]
Davis served as head coach of the basketball team at Tupelo High School from 1962 to 1966, compiling a record of 131–23 in four seasons. He then served as assistant coach for the Bulldogs at his alma mater from 1966 until 1970, when he was named head coach of the team.[3] In 1971, he was named SEC Coach of the Year.[4][5] He compiled a record of 91–91 in seven seasons,[6][7] and in 1977, he resigned.[8][9]
In 2022, Davis was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.[2]
Personal life and death
Davis was married to Nancy Jo Hogan. They had three children, including Kermit Jr., a college basketball player and coach. Their marriage lasted until Davis's death in 2026.[2]
Davis died in Tupelo, Mississippi on August 10, 2026, at the age of 91.[10][11]
References
- ↑ "Kermit Davis Adds Duties As Ticket Manager". Jackson Daily News. Jackson, Mississippi. May 13, 1968. p. 17. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 "Kermit Davis, Sr". Pegues Funeral Directors. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Kermit Davis is new MSU head cage coach". The Delta Democrat Times. Greenville, Mississippi. March 24, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kermit Davis Named SEC Coach Of The Year". The Clarksdale Press Register. Clarksdale, Mississippi. March 17, 1971. p. 6. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kermit Davis Is Top SEC Coach". The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette, Louisiana. March 17, 1971. p. 30. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kermit Davis Sr". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "High expectations may have hurt Kermit Davis". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Greenwood, Mississippi. March 21, 1977. p. 17. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kermit Davis Resigns". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. March 19, 1977. p. 17. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kermit Davis Resigns As Mississippi State Basketball Coach". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, Tennessee. March 19, 1977. p. 29. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Cleveland, Rick (August 10, 2026). "Mississippi State basketball icon Kermit Davis Sr. has died at 91". Mississippi Today. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer Kermit Davis Sr. dies at 91". The Pine Belt News. Brewton, Alabama. August 13, 2026. p. A15. Retrieved August 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.