A familiar face will be taking over the Kentwood High boys basketball program this fall.
Kent-Meridian product Brian Davis, 29, was announced on Thursday as the new Kentwood coach. Davis, who graduated from Kent-Meridian in 1998, also has ties to Kentridge, where he assisted under current Charger coach Dave Jamison (2000-2006).
“Any time you get to come back to Kent, it’s pretty special,” said Davis, a Western Washington University graduate. “Kentwood is one of the premier programs in the state. The district and all the schools are tremendous.”
Davis is replacing Michael Angelidis, who stepped down in March shortly after the Conquerors captured the Class 4A state championship by beating Jackson 67-58. This was Angelidis’ 29th year coaching overall, his fourth at Kentwood. Angelidis finished his four-year run at Kentwood with a 74-37 overall record (42-18 in league play), two co-league championships, two state berths and one state title. In addition, he was named the South Puget Sound League North Division Coach of the Year this past season.
Landing the job at Kentwood is huge, Davis conceded.
“I’m ecstatic. This is a big, big day,” he said.
Davis won out over three other applicants.
This will be his first head coaching position. He spent the last four years as an assistant coach at Squalicum in Bellingham. Squalicum won the Class 2A state championship this past winter.
“There was a connection with him,” said Kentwood athletic director JoAnne Daughtry. “He’s very enthusiastic and passionate. He wants to be back in this area and considers it home.”
Davis is a history teacher, though there are no openings at Kentwood. Until a position opens in the district, Davis plans on substitute teaching.
“I respect and know a ton of teachers and coaches who subbed early on in their careers, and it takes time,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with subbing your first year or two.”
Kentwood loses two key pieces of this year’s state championship team in point guard Tre Tyler and center Joshua Smith, who will play next season on scholarship at UCLA. Despite having to fill two big voids right away, the excitement for Davis is unmatched.
“Any time you lose two high-quality players like Josh and Tre, you have chances for other kids to step up,” said Davis, who had the opportunity to watch Kentwood play on multiple occasions this season. “That’s going to be the huge thing, get them to believe and positively attack the new season.”
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