Drake hires Mark Phelps to take over basketball program

Des Moines, IA (Sports Network) - Drake University hired Arizona State assistant Mark Phelps as its new men's basketball coach Monday.
Phelps served on the coaching staff at North Carolina State under Herb Sendek from 1996-2006 before joining Sendek at Arizona State in 2006.
"I consider it an honor and privilege to be named the head coach at Drake University," said Phelps. "President (David) Maxwell has fostered a true family environment where the 'Drake experience' is a special one for students, faculty, staff and the entire Drake community.
Phelps replaces Keno Davis, who left the Bulldogs last week to take over at Providence.
Davis spent just one season as the head coach at Drake, where he replaced his father Tom and led the Bulldogs to a 28-5 record and the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
Drake became the first MVC school to win both the regular season and tourney titles since 2002 under Davis and he was named the conference Coach of the Year.
The Bulldogs also made their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1971 and upended Western Kentucky, 101-99, in overtime.
"I am absolutely thrilled that Mark Phelps will assume leadership of the Drake University men's basketball program," said Hatfield Clubb. " His extensive experience as an assistant in the Pac-10 and the ACC, coupled with his commitment to the holistic development of young men, make him the ideal candidate to continue the established success of the Drake Bulldogs.
"Mark is touted as one of the top assistant coaches in college basketball. His character and his demonstrated passion for the game are just two of the many outstanding qualities that attracted us to him. coach Mark Phelps is a perfect fit for Drake University."