Providence College Athletics

Keno Davis Announces Coaching Staff

6/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

June 13, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence College men's basketball Head Coach Keno Davis today (June 13) announced that Chris Davis, Rodell Davis and Pat Skerry have been hired as assistant coaches. Keno Davis will announce the remainder of his staff at a later date.

"I am very pleased with the high quality of the coaching staff that we have assembled," Keno Davis said. "Not only are they some of the hardest working coaches in our profession, but they are excellent individuals and they will represent our program with dignity and class."

Chris Davis spent eight years on the coaching staff at Drake University, including five seasons with Keno Davis. He joined the Drake University coaching staff in 2000 and remained on the staff when Keno arrived at Drake as an assistant under his father, Dr. Tom Davis, in 2003. In the spring of 2007, Chris Davis was promoted to associate head coach at Drake. While at Drake, Chris Davis established himself as one of the most respected recruiters in the Missouri Valley Conference. He was instrumental in bringing in many of the members of the 2007-08 Drake squad that posted a 28-5 mark, captured the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and conference titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1971. In addition to serving as the recruiting coordinator with the Bulldogs, Davis was responsible for the defense, scouting and scheduling. Prior to coaching at Drake, Davis served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Western Michigan from 1995-2000. In 1998, WMU advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament while recording a 21-8 record. It was his second stint at WMU as he served as a graduate assistant coach with the Broncos from 1986-87. Davis also served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Kent State from 1989-95. Kent State made one NIT appearance during his tenure. From 1987-89, he was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Grand Valley State. In two seasons, he helped lead the Lakers to a 40-18 mark and two second-place finishes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. A native of Jackson, Michigan, he received a bachelor's degree in secondary education with an emphasis in history and social studies from the University of Michigan in 1983 and a master's degree in sports administration from Western Michigan in 1987. Davis and his wife, Helen, have a son, Xavier (17), and a daughter, Gabriela (13).

Rodell Davis joined Keno Davis' staff as an assistant coach at Drake in 2007-08. Rodell Davis is very familiar with Keno Davis. Rodell played for Keno's father, Dr. Tom Davis, at the University of Iowa. He was a three-year letter winner for the Hawkeyes and served as a team captain during his senior season (1991-92). After missing his freshman season with an injury, Davis played 86 games and averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg for the Hawkeyes. He also helped Iowa advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 1992. At Drake, Davis was responsible for the offense, scouting and recruiting. Prior to coaching at Drake, Davis served as the Head Coach at Laramie (Wyo.) County Community College for four years (2003-07). In 2005-06, he was named the Region IX Central Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Eagles to their first Region IX Central Sub-Region championship. He also served as the school's athletics director during 2006-07. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Wisconsin-Platteville during the 1992-93 season under current Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan. He also served as the athletics director at Kennedy-King College in Chicago, Ill. A native of Chicago, Ill., Davis also served as an assistant coach at perennial power Proviso East High School in Maywood, Ill. from 2001-03 and at Thornwood High School in South Holland, Ill. in 1995-96. Rodell and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Kevon (17), Haley (11) and Rodell, Jr. (2).

Pat Skerry spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island. While at URI, Skerry gained national recognition as he was named one of the top assistant coaches in the nation in 2007 by Hoop Scoop. In 2008, Fox Sports.com named Skerry the top mid-major assistant in the nation. He also has gained exposure through his recruiting as his 2006 class was ranked 24th in the nation by Hoop Scoop and the web site rated his 2007 class as the 61st best in the country. Prior to working at Rhode Island, Skerry served as an assistant for two seasons (2003-05) at the College of Charleston under former Friar assistant coach Tommy Herrion. While he was at the College of Charleston, the Cougars posted a 38-19 record. Skerry spent three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at William & Mary under Head Coach Rick Boyages from 2000-03. Before heading to William & Mary, Skerry worked for two years as an assistant coach and chief recruiter at Northeastern University (1998-00). In 1996 at the age of 26, Skerry became the second-youngest head coach in the nation when he was selected to guide Curry College. He coached Curry for two seasons. In his second season at Curry, Skerry led the Colonels to a 13-12 mark and a berth in Colonial Conference playoffs. It marked the team's first winning season in five years. Before becoming the head coach at Curry, Skerry spent one season as an assistant at Stonehill (1995-96) and three seasons as an assistant coach at Tufts (1992-95). While at Tufts, he helped guide the Jumbos to two ECAC Tournaments and the team's first NCAA Division III Tournament berth in 1995. A native of Medford, Mass., Skerry played at Tufts from 1989-92. He earned All-New England honors and was a two-year captain. He dished out a school-record 650 assists during his career, which ranks 17th best all-time in Division III. His 6.8 assists per game still ranks 10th nationally. In 1990-91, Skerry recorded 198 assists -- a Tufts' single-season record. He also ranks fifth on Tufts' career steals list with 95. While at Tufts, he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1992 and a master's degree in education in 1995. Skerry and his wife, Kristen, have a son, Ryan Patrick.

-end-

Men's Basketball Exhibition vs. Harvard
Saturday, October 25
2018-2019 Men's Basketball Highlight Video
Saturday, April 13