AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) — Auburn’s former head men’s basketball coach from 1973-78, Bob Davis, passed away Saturday. Davis was age 93 at his passing and was in his hometown of Georgetown, Kentucky.
He came from Georgetown College where he had coached and taught for 20 years. Before that job, he coached at High Point for two seasons as well. Davis enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Naval Aviation out of high school and honorably discharged the next year before he enrolled at Georgetown College. At Georgetown, he played football, ran track and graduated in 1950. He continued on to complete his master’s degree at the University of Kentucky and PhD in education from Vanderbilt University.
Davis had a 70-61 record in the five seasons he coached the Tigers. In the Southeastern Conference, his record was 42-48. Having 70 victories he ranks ninth in Auburn’s wins list of all-time. In only his second season coaching the Tigers he led them to an 18-8 record which ties for the fourth most wins in a single season. That season the Tigers finished third in the SEC.
Many honors were given to Davis over the years. Some of these include vice president chairman of the United States Olympic Basketball Committee, head coach of the U.S. basketball team in the 1970 World Games, induced into the Kentucky Hall of Fame and member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.
The celebration of Bob Davis’ life will be a private service with family members only due to Covid restrictions. The service will be on March 17 at 10 a.m. CT and livestreamed through Georgetown Baptist Church’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
