Guess Who's Coming to Dinner: Keno Davis

McPhail's provided a three course meal for Providence College students on Tuesday, Oct. 27. For an appetizer there was a salad with various choices of dressings. The entrée was a delicious chicken parmesan complemented nicely with a pasta in light tomato sauce. Finally, for dessert, a delectable treat: new Men's Basketball Coach Keno Davis stopped by to discuss his journey in coaching and the upcoming season for Friars basketball.

Coach Davis arrived in the student bar to a warm welcome of around one hundred people, most of whom were Providence College students. He stood onstage behind a podium and discussed his path to being the new men's basketball coach here at Providence. He talked about being able to coach under great coaches like Bruce Pearl, men's basketball coach at University of Tennessee, and his Father Dr. Tom Davis. Coach Davis gave insight to how he learned and built up his style of coaching while under other coaches, which helped him when taking over Drake University Men's team last season.

The main focus for Coach Davis was on explaining the importance of instilling confidence in players and how confidence leads to effort and that effort leads to victories. He also made mention of how this season will help the program build for future seasons and knew the importance of getting fans in the seats down at the newly renovated Dunkin' Donuts Center.

"This team has the talent and ability to raise a banner into the rafters," said Davis.

This is similar to a comment made by a young up-and-coming coach by the name of Rick Pitino, who once talked about cutting down nets. That prediction was followed by a NCAA Final Four appearance.

After speaking, Davis fielded questions from the audience. The questions made this reporter feel like it was the Big East Media Day, which took place last week in New York City. The students and fans were not shy at all, asking a variety of questions ranging from recruiting tactics, to the offensive and defensive styles fans could expect to see while watching the Friars play.

Coach Davis didn't shy away and was very direct in his answers and seemed to enjoy the chance to be around the very people who will be wreaking havoc from the student section at the Dunk. He promised hard work for the duration of the season.

"I'm excited to have had this opportunity and I promise you that this team will be the hardest working team and will give a maximum effort all season long and will get better every single time we take the floor."

There was a great vibe in the room following Coach Davis' speech. It was a sense of satisfaction, which should always be the case after having a nice meal.