“We are both sad and happy with Jeff’s announcement that he is going to Oklahoma,” said VCU athletic director Richard L. Sander in a release by the school. “He did a great job here, and we know he will do a great job there.”
Sampson, Capel’s predecessor at Oklahoma, led the program to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including this year’s, and three Big XII Tournament championships in his 12 years at the helm. Sampson is widely considered one of the most talented and respected coaches in the college ranks.
“Our new coach is the right man to maintain and build upon IU’s long and storied traditions. Equally important to us are high academic expectations and the core character values of the university,” said IU President Adam Herbert in a statement posted on the university’s athletic Web site. “I am convinced that our new coach understands fully and is determined to meet Indiana University’s high overall expectations.”
Davis apparently didn’t meet those expectations while at IU. Despite leading the team to a surprise NCAA championship game appearance in 2002, he was never fully welcomed in Bloomington. Davis replaced Hoosier legend Bobby Knight, who wore out his welcome with administrators after several high-profile incidents and was publicly against Davis’ promotion to the top job. Several disappointing seasons bred frustration and anger among IU fans, eventually leading to Davis’ resignation at the end of last season.
“I can’t explain to you how excited I am to be back in Alabama and to have an opportunity to lead a basketball program again,” Davis said at his introductory press conference.
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