What Happened to Kermit John Davis Jr.?

Kermit Davis Jr. has had a long and impactful career in college basketball, marked by significant success at the mid-major level and a challenging but notable tenure in the Southeastern Conference. His coaching journey began with assistant roles and head coaching positions at smaller programs before he found his stride at Middle Tennessee State University.

Davis took over the Middle Tennessee program in 2002 and transformed it into a formidable mid-major power over 16 seasons. He became the program's all-time winningest coach, accumulating over 300 victories and leading the Blue Raiders to multiple conference championships in both the Sun Belt and Conference USA. His teams were known for their toughness and discipline, achieving national recognition with back-to-back NCAA Tournament upsets: a stunning victory over No. 2 seed Michigan State in 2016 and a win against No. 5 seed Minnesota in 2017.

In March 2018, Davis returned to his home state of Mississippi, accepting the head coaching position at Ole Miss. He made an immediate impact, leading the Rebels to a 20-13 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in his inaugural 2018-19 season, a significant turnaround from the team's last-place finish the previous year. For this achievement, he was named SEC Coach of the Year by his peers and the Associated Press. He also secured top-ranked recruiting classes, including the program's first McDonald's All-American.

Despite the initial success and a contract extension through the 2024-25 season signed in November 2021, the Rebels' performance declined in subsequent years. After five seasons, during which he compiled a 74-79 overall record, Davis and Ole Miss mutually agreed to part ways on February 24, 2023. The decision came as the team held a 10-18 record and was tied for last place in the SEC.

Since his departure from Ole Miss, Davis has not taken on another head coaching role. However, his legacy in college basketball continues to be recognized. In February 2026, it was announced that Kermit Davis Jr. would be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, a testament to his transformative work at Middle Tennessee. Additionally, in August 2026, his father, Kermit Davis Sr., a former Mississippi State player and coach, passed away at the age of 91. As of August 13, 2026, Kermit Davis Jr. remains a prominent figure in the college basketball community, honored for his past achievements.