Davey retiring after 30-year tenure

By Chris Furnari

Santa Clara men's basketball coach Dick Davey has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2007 basketball season after 30 years on the bench.

"I was hoping we would wait until the end of the season to announce this decision," Davey said, "but the university felt that it was in the best interest of the school to announce it sooner, in order to look for a new coach."

Davey, 64, has coached at Santa Clara for 30 years -- 15 as an assistant under Carroll Williams and 15 as head coach. This season, Davey is off to one of the best starts in Bronco history, with a 15-7 overall record and share of first place in conference play.

The timing of the announcement of Davey's retirement has been questioned, however.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that unnamed athletic department sources said administrators above Athletic Director Dan Coonan, as well as some major donors, were "very intrigued" with the possibility of putting more money into the basketball program and going after a high-profile coach. The sources said Davey may have been encouraged to retire.

"We happen to think this is a tremendous opportunity and that the program is poised for a very bright future based upon the wonderful success the coaches have had with the team this season," Coonan said in a statement.

Davey denied having been forced out, saying, "I have been here 30 years, and I am sure there were people that felt it was the right time to do it, and I wouldn't disagree with their thinking."

About the search for a replacement, Coonan said, "It is more important for us to do this right than for us to do this quickly."

Some have speculated that former Stanford University and Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery is a possible candidate for the position.

Coonan would not comment on the possibility of hiring a high-profile coach like Montgomery, but did say that the list of candidates will be extensive.

No formal statement has been made about the exact amount the replacement would receive, but Coonan said it would be more than Davey's current salary.

"It's fair to say that we are going to pay more than what we are currently paying," said Coonan. "But we are Santa Clara -- we are not going to pay a million dollars for a coach."

This has led to speculation that Santa Clara would be unable to provide payment for a high-profile coach such as Montgomery and might instead hire within the program. Though Davey will have no part in the selection process of the next coach, his vote is for current Associate Head Coach Steve Seandel.

"It's not my decision, but I think Steve can keep the program going forward and in the right direction," said Davey.

Coonan confirmed Seandel as a possible replacement candidate, among others from within the university.

The university reported Davey has been offered a fundraising job after, but Davey said he has yet to make a decision on his future.

"I think the key thing is to wait until the season is over," he said.

Davey led the Broncos to three NCAA tournament appearances during his tenure as coach, including the 1993 upset of second-seeded Arizona with Steve Nash.

Davey said he does not have any plans to continue coaching at another university, but joked about another possible opening.

"I think my granddaughter's 9-year-old CYO team might need a coach, but other than that, I have no other plans to continue," he said.

When asked about his experience as a Bronco, Davey said, "It's been the greatest experience in the world, and I consider myself lucky to have been a coach here for so long, but it's time for someone else to be in charge."

Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 554-4546 or cfurnari@scu.edu.