Davis Named to Coach Burbank Basketball

Jeff Davis was named Wednesday to replace Fred Cook as basketball coach at Burbank High.

Davis, 33, the Canoga Park basketball coach for the past four seasons, had been discouraged by the pay cuts affecting Los Angeles Unified School District employees and opted to look for another teaching and coaching position outside the district.

“This was the best opportunity that I could find to go to a Southern Section school,” Davis said. “It had nothing to do with Canoga Park.

“It’s kind of hard with the pay cuts and all to raise a family of four and realizing that there are other districts around that are more committed to athletics and academics. It’s one of those things where you have to look out for your future.”

Davis guided the Hunters to a 10-11 record last season and the school’s first playoff berth in 10 seasons. He will inherit a Burbank team that finished 9-15 overall and tied for third in the Foothill League. Although Davis has never followed the Bulldogs, he has reason to be optimistic.

“From what I understand, they have a lot of talent,” Davis said. “I’m really excited. They have a very strong commitment to building a strong program at Burbank.”

Davis, a 1978 graduate of El Camino Real, where be lettered in basketball and baseball, was a varsity assistant and the junior varsity coach at his alma mater for three seasons before landing his first varsity assignment at Canoga Park in 1989. Davis was 30-61 with the Hunters.

Davis will also coach Burbank’s junior varsity baseball team.