Kermit Davis is the all-time winningest coach in Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) men’s basketball history, building the Blue Raiders into one of the most respected mid-major programs in the nation. Known for his disciplined teams and strong recruiting, Davis spent 16 seasons in Murfreesboro (2002–2018), turning the program into a consistent postseason power.
Under his leadership, Middle Tennessee transitioned seamlessly from the Sun Belt to Conference USA, capturing seven combined conference regular-season or tournament titles. Davis guided the Blue Raiders to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2013, 2016, 2017) and multiple NIT berths, recording 332 victories during his tenure.
The pinnacle of Davis’s time at MTSU came during a historic two-year stretch in the NCAA Tournament. In 2016, as a 15-seed, Middle Tennessee pulled off one of the greatest upsets in tournament history by defeating No. 2-seeded Michigan State. Proving the program’s elite status was no fluke, Davis led the Blue Raiders back in 2017 as a 12-seed, where they upset No. 5-seeded Minnesota to reach the Round of 32 for the second straight year.
Throughout his time at Middle Tennessee, Davis was a nine-time Conference Coach of the Year across various leagues and publications. His program was equally celebrated for its academic standing, consistently maintaining a high Graduation Success Rate and fostering a culture of accountability.
Before arriving at MTSU, Davis gained experience as associate head coach at LSU, helping lead the Tigers to a Sweet 16, and as head coach at Idaho and Texas A&M. After his run with the Blue Raiders, he served as head coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 2018 to 2023, where he was named 2019 SEC Coach of the Year.