University Star

After seven years at the helm of the men’s basketball team, head coach Doug Davalos’ contract will not be renewed for next season.

Davalos finished 92-107 in seven seasons with the Bobcats. He was the only coach in the country hired in 2006 still with the same team who failed to take them to a postseason, non-conference tournament and did not have a winning season. Athletic director Larry Teis said in a release from Texas State athletics the decision not to renew Davalos’ contract was ‘mutual.’

“He has talked about new challenges and possibly moving into athletic administration,” Teis said in an email. “He won in the classroom and in compliance.  Coaches also represent us in the community, on campus, and around the nation.  I don’t judge coaches on one aspect of their job.”

Davalos led the team to the WAC Tournament as the seventh seed. He won multiple tournament games in his seventh season for the first time, defeating 10th ranked Seattle University and upsetting second seeded University of Denver.

Men’s basketball joined the other four major sports—football, volleyball, soccer and women’s basketball—with a losing record in 2012. Volleyball, soccer and women’s basketball all had winning seasons in 2011.

“When Coach Davalos began, we had lost scholarships due to the Academic Progress Rates he inherited,” said University President Denise Trauth in a press release. “We needed rebuilding both on and off the court.  He has helped our student-athletes succeed in the classroom and improve their (progress rates).  His teams have produced exciting victories, including two last weeks in the WAC Tournament. We wish Doug Davalos success in his future endeavors.”

Davalos was responsible for recruiting the last three teams in their entirety, including All-WAC standout Joel Wright, who was named to the WAC Tournament team. Wright was the only player named to the team who did not play in the championship game.

“We’ve got a good team,” Wright said. “He was and is a great coach. He still could have gotten us over the edge. I believe he deserved another chance, but you know stuff happens. They had to make the best decision for the school.”

Teis said that athletics is spending $50,000 on the research to find a new men’s basketball coach. He also said that Strahan is slowly continuing renovation processes. The coliseum will have all new maroon seats by the time of next year’s basketball season.

Davalos’ previous head coaching jobs were stints at Fort Stockton High School and Sul Ross State University. Davalos had no comment on his release.