The Tennessee Tech basketball programs are on solid ground, with women’s head coach Jim Davis and men’s head coach Steve Payne receiving contract extensions that will keep each directing his program through the 2019 season.

The contract extensions were announced by Director of Athletics Mark Wilson.

“If you look at our basketball programs, you see two head coaches who are men of outstanding character, who are teaching and coaching our student-athletes to be successful on-and-off the court, and whose programs are not only challenging for conference championships but are also exciting for our fans and alumni to watch, cheer for and support.” Wilson said.

“We’re extremely excited to make this announcement, and we think great things are in store for both of our basketball teams in the years to come,” Wilson added.

Jim Davis was named in July of 2012, and is only the fifth head coach in the 44-year history of women’s basketball at Tennessee Tech. In his first season at Tech, he guided his team to a first-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference East Division.

“It’s important to me, first of all, to know that we have the confidence of our administration in Mark Wilson and Dr. Oldham, and the fact that they believe what we are doing is the right thing for Tennessee Tech,” Davis said of the contract extension.

“That’s comforting to me, plus I think it gives our players a sense of stability. It ought to help us in recruiting. If we can keep this staff together — we have a wonderful coaching staff — if I can keep this staff together I think you are going to see some really good things happening in women’s basketball at Tennessee Tech.”

Davis feels the contract is an indication that the direction he has the program headed is the right direction.

“Oh, I do. I really like this basketball team we have this year,” he said. “In terms of character and quality of play and competitiveness, I think you are going to see a big, big difference on the basketball court so I really like this team and the direction this team is taking us.”

And keeping Davis at the helm can be a factor in recruiting.

“No question about that. You can tell by looking at me that I’m not a spring chicken. I’m asked ‘how much longer are you going to be coaching,’ so this contract extension is something we can share with people that ask that question.

“Now, is that to say that I’m going to be here until 2019? Nobody knows but the good Lord above and I could be out of here tomorrow, but so could the coach at every other school in the OVC,” he said. “Nobody knows. I know one thing; a lot of those young coaches out there are looking to move up using the job in the OVC as a stepping-stone. I’m not looking to use a job in the OVC as a stepping-stone. I want to finish my coaching career here at Tennessee Tech. So I’m happy about that.”

A native of Englewood, Tenn., Davis’ coaching resume prior to Tech includes junior high and high school positions, a brilliant six-year span at Roane State Community College, one championship year at Middle Tennessee State, 18 highly successful seasons at Clemson University, a year in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx, and two seasons as an assistant coach at Young Harris College in Georgia.

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