Lake Forest College Director of Athletics Jackie Slaats announced Thursday the promotion of Ken Davis to head coach of the Forester men's basketball team. Davis, who has been a member of the Forester coaching staff for seven years and became the team's associate head coach prior to the team's 2011-12 Midwest Conference championship season, takes over for Chris Conger, who resigned on Wednesday after 18 seasons as head coach.
"Coach Conger has served the Lake Forest College community in an exemplary way for nearly two decades," began Davis. "I'm very grateful to have served alongside him the last seven years and I am one of many to have benefitted from his work ethic and meticulous attention to detail.
"I'm humbled to have this opportunity to serve our student-athletes in a new leadership role," he continued. "There are many responsibilities that come with this position and I thank Director of Athletics Jackie Slaats and President Stephen Schutt for their confidence in my ability to successfully make this transition. We share similar vision and goals for the basketball program and I will continue to work incredibly hard to help our young men prepare for life and pursue their dreams."
"Coach Davis has been a big part of our team's success over the last seven seasons and we are fortunate to have someone of his acumen already on staff," noted Director of Athletics Jackie Slaats. "He has valuable experience here at the College and was a very successful head coach at the high school level. In addition, his strong relationship with our current and prospective players make him the perfect person to lead the program at this time."
Davis came to Lake Forest after 15 years coaching at the high school level, including six as the head varsity coach at Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois. Prior to entering the coaching field, the Arizona State University graduate worked at the Chicago Board of Trade as a financial futures trader. He also earned his master of arts degree in teaching from National-Louis University before beginning an 18-year career in education.
A graduate of New Trier West High School, Davis has been involved with basketball in the Chicago area nearly all his life. He currently lives in Deerfield with his wife Darlene, daughter Brooke, and sons Ryan and Seth.
Per College policy, a national search will be conducted, with Davis as a candidate, at the conclusion of his interim appointment.
