Davis adds two assistants to new men’s basketball coaching staff

New assistant men's basketball coach Kevin Gamble, left, talks with head basketball coach Keno Davis during a four-man workout Thursday afternoon. (Mike Mulholland/Photo Editor)

Jeff Smith and Kevin Gamble were hired as the new Central Michigan men’s basketball assistant coaches under Keno Davis.

Gamble and Davis go way back to the mid-1980’s. That was when Gamble played for Davis’ father at Iowa. In 1986-87 the Hawkeyes won 30 games and went to the Elite Eight with Smith on the team.

Gamble was the Lincoln College head coach from 2002-10 before rejoining Davis at Providence to be his assistant in 2010-11.

“I feel very fortunate to have Kevin on our staff,” Davis said. “His experiences as a head coach and professional player give us a unique perspective and he will really help our student-athletes reach their potential both on and off the court. He was known for not only his ability to score, but also for being one of the better defenders at his position.”

He was selected in the third round of the 1987 NBA draft, and played on three NBA teams up until he retired in 1996 with the Sacramento Kings.

Smith played at Alma College from 1990-92 and was previously an assistant coach at CMU from 1999-02. Before that he was a graduate assistant for the Chippewas for two seasons.

Since then he has mostly stayed in the state of Michigan. He was an assistant coach at Oakland from 2002-07 before going to Utah for four years. Last season he was an assistant coach at UC-Riverside.

“Jeff’s knowledge of Michigan and understanding of what it takes to win at Central Michigan and in the MAC make him the right fit for us,” Davis said. “He has a national reputation as a tireless worker and someone who has been successful at every stop. I am very excited to welcome him back home and let him utilize his in-roads around the country and specifically in the state.”

Smith was a part of the 2000-01 CMU team that went 20-8 and won the Mid-American Conference title.