Nathan Davis is returning to his alma mater as Randolph-Macon�s head men�s basketball coach. He'll be the program's fourth coach since 1956.

Davis comes to Ashland from Colgate where he served as an assistant coach this past season, his 11th as an assistant at the D-I level. He arrived at Colgate after five seasons as an assistant coach at Bucknell, where he was responsible for all aspects of the program under head coach Pat Flannery, who won a Division III national championship with Lebanon Valley in 1994. Davis assisted with scouting and player development and served as recruiting coordinator.

&&f-boxl&&"I am very grateful to president (Robert) Lindgren, dean (William) Johnston, and (athletic director Dennis) Kanach for giving this opportunity," said Davis. "Randolph-Macon College and its basketball program have meant to much to me over the years. I am looking forward to carrying on the great tradition that has been put in place by Coach (Paul) Webb, Coach (Hal) Nunnally, and Coach (Michael) Rhoades."

Davis replaces Rhoades, who was 197-76 in 10 seasons before taking an assistant job at Division I Virginia Commonwealth earlier this month.

During Davis' tenure, the Bison won 99 games and made two NCAA Tournament appearances. The Bison pulled off first round upsets over Kansas in 2005 and Arkansas in 2006. In 2006, Bucknell finished 24th in the nation in the coaches poll.

�We are delighted to have Nathan Davis returning to Randolph-Macon. I am greatly impressed with his coaching experience and perhaps more importantly, the values he attempts to impart to his players,� said Lindgren. �We have a wonderful tradition of coaching excellence -- and longevity -- in our Men�s basketball program at R-MC, and coach Davis is a very worthy successor of the Webb/Nunnally/Rhoades legacy here."

Davis previously spent five years as an assistant at Navy and was an assistant at Emory and Henry after graduating from Randolph-Macon with majors in history and sociology. He earned four varsity letters in basketball playing for Nunnally, serving as team co-captain in both his junior and senior years.

�We are very pleased to have been able to attract a coach of Nathan Davis' caliber. I have known Nathan for some time now and he has always been on the top of my short list to replace Mike Rhoades when that day came,� said Kanach. �He has worked in D-III and D-I and has learned his trade from some of the best teachers in the game. ... I am also very happy to announce that J.D. Byers has agreed to stay with the program as coach Davis' assistant.�

Davis will inherit a team that has 11 players returning, including three starters from a 2008-09 squad that went 20-6 overall and finished tied for first-place in the ODAC regular season standings.