Davis Gets Interim Job at Indiana

Mike Davis, a Bob Knight disciple but an opposite in temperament and style, inherited one of college basketball’s most visible jobs Tuesday as interim coach at Indiana.

The university, stung by one controversy after another involving Knight over the past year, picked the low-key Davis to head the program for at least one season and selected John Treloar, another former Knight assistant, as interim associate coach.

“I’m a quiet guy, but I love to compete,” said Davis, 39, who played at Alabama, was a second-round pick by Milwaukee in the 1983 NBA draft and then played in Europe and in the Continental Basketball Assn.

He returned to Alabama as an assistant coach in 1995 and came to Indiana two years later.

Davis was responsible for recruiting many of the current players.

After Knight was fired Sunday for violating a “zero tolerance” behavior policy imposed in May, the players threatened to transfer en masse unless Davis or Treloar was given the interim job.

“There was no way I could turn this job down, because of the players,” said Davis, surrounded by the team during a news conference on the basketball court at Assembly Hall. “The way they came out for me really touched me.

“I’m extremely happy for this opportunity, but I’m sad because of the way it happened. I envisioned being a head coach, but under different circumstances. . . . Everyone knows Coach Knight is the reason I’m here and why the players are here.”

But, he added, “Indiana basketball is bigger than anyone.”

Davis will be the head coach through at least this season, but the school has said it also will look at other candidates for the following season.

“If we don’t have a great season, I shouldn’t be considered,” a confident Davis said.