What is Kermit Davis' coaching record with Ole Miss Rebels? Exploring his firing just before 2023 NCAA March Madness

Kermit Davis' coaching record with the Ole Miss Rebels wasn't great, which is why he was fired on Friday. He led his team to only 10 wins in 28 games, one of the worst winning percentages of his career, along with a 2-13 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

The 63-year-old got his first head-coaching gig in 1988-89 with Idaho. He's been a conference coach of the year at four stops (SEC, Big Sky, Conference USA and Sun Belt), including Ole Miss. But his tenure at the University of Mississippi fizzled after a strong first season.

Davis led the Rebels to a 20-13 mark and an NCAA Tournament appearance in that first season, in 2018-19, as he was named SEC Coach of the Year. However, the last four seasons have disappointed, with Ole Miss producing a winning record just once.

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Kermit Davis' coaching record includes nearly 500 wins

Kermit Davis' coaching record with the Ole Miss Rebels was 74-79. After five years with the team, the veteran coach had two winning seasons, reaching the NCAA Tournament only in that first season.

Davis, who played for Mississippi State, has been a coach for several teams, but is mostly known for his tenure with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, the team he spent 16 years with. He also coached the Texas A&M Aggies and Idaho Vandals.

Kermit Davis' coaching record includes nearly 500 wins. (Image via Getty Images)

During his entire career as a head coach, the 2019 SEC Coach of the Year has been on the bench for 794 games. This includes 520 games with the Blue Raiders and 153 games with the Ole Miss Rebels.

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Kermit Davis' coaching record is 477-317, which translates to a .601 winning percentage. His highest winning percentage (.685) is with the Idaho Vandals, where he went 63-29.

Davis' latest team managed to qualify for the NCAA tournament in the 2018-19 season. However, the Ole Miss Rebels were eliminated in the first round with a 95-72 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners.

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Davis' statement after his firing

While Kermit Davis' coaching record wasn't great at the University of Mississippi, he tried his best to bring the title to a school that traditionally hasn't had much success (just nine NCAA Tournament appearances). However, he wasn't able to build on that first season.

Assistant coach Win Case will act as the interim head coach for the rest of the season (three more regular-season games before the SEC Tournament).

Davis led the Ole Miss Rebels to the NCAA Tournament in his first season. (Image via Getty Images)

"My family and I are extremely thankful for the opportunity to lead the Ole Miss men's basketball program the past five years," Davis said. "I wish Ole Miss the best going forward. Oxford is a special place to live and work."

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While Case will serve as Davis' replacement until the end of the season, the team will look for a permanent replacement.