Davis leaves with dignity fans need

Despite the circumstances and the rainy, overcast weather Thursday afternoon, the mood in the press room at Assembly Hall was anything but gloomy. That is, until the players had their turn to speak. \nAlmost explicitly saying so, sophomores Robert Vaden and D.J. White indicated they would leave IU because coach Mike Davis, their main reason for attending the school, would resign at season's end.\nI've been saying for quite some time that if Davis left the program, several players would likely leave with him because of how they feel about their coach. I was widely criticized for those comments because some Hoosier fans simply can't understand how anyone could possibly like a coach who doesn't win games. \nWell, folks, I'm going to let you in on a little secret -- there's more to life than simply winning basketball games. To a man, the Hoosiers are fiercely loyal to their coach and would do anything for him. Why? Because being a good person is more important than being a good basketball coach. And personal character and dignity is more important than winning basketball games, even in Indiana. \nBut because of the past two seasons, and to some extent this season, Coach Davis has been run out of town by a fan base that has been anything but supportive. Two years ago, the team was flat-out terrible, largely because of a lack of a post presence and because of the NBA defection of Jared Jeffries -- by the way, how's that working out for him? Last year, Davis had a roster littered with freshmen and a selfish star who only cared about improving his draft status and turning pro -- NBDL, anyone? \nBut some blame does fall on Davis' shoulders and even he admits that. The team has been inconsistent on offense and has had massive lapses in energy and intensity, often for long stretches in games. But that doesn't change the fact that Davis had to deal with far more criticism than he deserved from people who claimed to be fans of the team.\nAs Davis spoke, he revealed what many of us already knew: He is a classy, sincere, enjoyable man who did not deserve the awful treatment he has received. He was relaxed. He smiled, joked around a bit and said that it was time to go. He said he wanted the IU basketball family to be united. He said it hurt him to see his players unhappy because they are like sons to him and he felt this decision will make things easier on them. Davis was not bitter or angry; in fact, he gushed about how much he loves this program and wants to see it succeed. \nNow, all you Davis-haters, ask yourselves, how would you have acted if you were in his shoes? Are you happy that you ridiculed and personally attacked a man who is classier than you could ever hope to be? Does it make you smile when you think about how you've beaten a good man who gave all he had to the university he loved? \nI know one thing for sure -- the players aren't happy. They don't feel the same way their coach does and they didn't try to hide it. Looking down the line at them yesterday, you could see they did not agree that it was a "great day for Indiana basketball." They mournfully looked on as their lovable coach thanked the very people who have made his life so difficult. \nIt is obvious that many of them don't think Davis got a fair shot and are bitter that the fans treated him this way. That, to me, is the whole story. The players on a college basketball team are bitter toward many of the fans who come to cheer them on. This doesn't pertain to everyone, of course. Some fans have been supportive of the team no matter what. But the Davis-haters would not be welcome to Assembly Hall if the players had their say. \nYou guys got what you wanted -- Davis will soon be gone; I just hope you're ready for the fallout that will ensue.\nDon't be shocked if Vaden, White and A.J. Ratliff all leave. It's more than a possibility; it's a likelihood. Unless Davis advises them to stay, they could all be gone. And to those of you who say if these players want to leave, we don't need them -- you're wrong. They would have been the backbone of next year's team and would make the job much more attractive to potential coaching candidates. They are incredibly angry with what has transpired and I hope you fans who rooted against Davis are happy for that as well. You can expect the team to flounder for at least a season or two as part of the transition process. I hope you enjoyed being in the top 25 for most of this season -- it could be the last time for a while. \nDavis talked to his former coach, C.M. Newton, on Wednesday night about his decision. Newton told him that he should hold his head high. You certainly can, Mike, I just wish I could say the same thing to the so-called fans out there.