Al Davis named Eastern head women’s basketball coach

Eastern Oklahoma State College has named Al Davis as the head coach of the Mountaineer women's basketball team.

"I would like to thank President Stephen E. Smith, Athletic Director Matt Parker, and everybody on the hiring committee for allowing me to have this opportunity," Davis said. "I look forward to rebuilding this program by bringing a winning mindset, not just on the court but in the classroom and community as well. Also, I look forward to working with everybody in the Athletic Department and seeing the gym packed full of students and fans every home game."

"We are excited to have Al Davis on board at Eastern," Athletic Director Matt Parker said. "With his connections in the state of Oklahoma, we look forward to watching him work and build onto Eastern Women's Basketball."

Davis spent last season at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan., where he served as the assistant women's basketball coach and recruiting coordinator. Davis was in charge of all aspects of recruiting, team travel, study hall and also coached guards. In Davis's only season with GCCC he recruited Alyssa Boyce from Putnam City West High School, the No. 1 ranked 6A high school in Oklahoma and 2018 state runner-up. Boyce made the all-conference team as a freshman. Davis also coached point guard Talia Roberts, who lead the Jayhawk Conference in scoring with 18 ppg.

Prior to GCCC, Davis spent two seasons at Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla., where he served as an assistant coach. While at Bacone College, Davis was in charge of recruiting, scouting opponents, day-to-day operations, team travel and film exchange. Davis also served as the head junior varsity coach for the women's basketball team. In Davis's two years with the program he recruited and coached four all-conference players. In the 2017-2018 season, Davis helped lead the program to a record of 16-14,  the school's first winning season since 2010. Davis's defensive mindset helped the Lady Warriors finish second in the nation in steals with two players, Cierra Miles and Samantha Jackson, ranked No. 1 and No. 8 in the nation in steals.

Davis spent six years coaching AAU basketball in northwestern Indiana and helped produce 26 Division I athletes.

Davis is originally from Gary, Ind., and played two years at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, where he earned an associate's degree in computer science. Davis then transferred to Bacone College in 2011 to finish his college playing career and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In Davis's two years playing at Bacone, he was selected as team captain and also received two NAIA Champions of Character awards. Davis is set to graduate in May with a master's degree in sport studies and athletic administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

The Mountaineer women's basketball team finished the 2018-2019 season with a record of 8-22.