Former IU coach Davis accepts UAB job

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former IU coach Mike Davis took over UAB's basketball program Friday, returning to his home state after a rocky tenure with the Hoosiers.\nThe 45-year-old Davis, a native of Fayette who played for Alabama, replaces Mike Anderson, who left the Blazers to become coach at Missouri.\nDavis announced his resignation from IU on Feb. 16, effective at the end of the season. The Hoosiers finished 19-12, losing to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA tournament.\n"I stepped out on faith a couple of months ago, and when this job became available, I waited for the phone call," Davis said at an introductory news conference Friday. "I can't explain to you how excited I am to be back in Alabama and to have an opportunity to lead a basketball program again."\nDavis moves from one of college basketball's most high-profile jobs to lead a Blazers program frequently overshadowed by Auburn and Alabama despite on-the-court success.\nDavis led IU to the 2002 national championship game two seasons after taking over after Bob Knight's firing. The only IU coach to win 20 games in each of his first three seasons, Davis was 115-79 in six seasons.\nBut he could never seem to please the IU faithful upset by Knight's firing. Davis found his tactics questioned, and comments he made publicly were often criticized. Less than two months into his tenure with the Hoosiers, after an embarrassing loss to Kentucky, Davis said he wasn't "the right man for job," a comment that didn't sit well with IU fans.\nUAB players and the approximately 100 fans at the news conference Friday greeted Davis with a standing ovation.\n"Walking into this room, it was really unbelievable," he said. "I didn't expect this many people to be here. It's great to be wanted."\nThe Blazers had made three consecutive NCAA tournaments under Anderson, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2004 after beating top-seeded Kentucky. They lost to the Wildcats in the opening round of this year's tournament.\nUAB interim athletic director Richard Margison also reportedly interviewed Anthony Grant, associate head coach for national champion Florida.