Providence has hired Keno Davis as its
new coach, less than two weeks after Davis was honored as The
Associated Press national coach of the year at Drake.

Davis won the award in his rookie year as a head coach. He took
Drake to its first NCAA tournament since 1971, and led the Bulldogs
to a school-record 28-5 record and their first national ranking in
33 years.

Providence made the announcement Tuesday. The hiring ends a
protracted job search during which George Mason's Jim Larranaga and
Massachusetts' Travis Ford turned down offers from the Friars.

Davis will replace Tim Welsh, who was fired last month after
taking Providence to two NCAA tournament appearances in 10 seasons.