Kempsville, ODU grad Phelps named hoops coach at Drake

DES MOINES, Iowa

Mark Phelps, who grew up in Virginia Beach and began his basketball coaching career there, was named head coach at Drake University on Monday.

Phelps, a graduate of Kempsville High and Old Dominion University, replaces Keno Davis, who last week accepted the head coaching position at Providence.

Phelps, 42, has served as Herb Sendek's top assistant coach at Arizona State for the past two seasons. Before that, Phelps was an assistant under Sendek at N.C. State.

Phelps started his coaching career at Rock Church in Virginia Beach in 1990, compiling a 104-41 record in four years. He followed that with two years at Atlantic Shores, leading the school to a 44-12 mark. At one point during his tenure, the Seahawks were ranked No. 1 in The Virginian-Pilot boys top 10.

Phelps recalled hearing from Drake athletic director Sandy Hatfield Clubb.

"One day last week, Sandy called me... and told me about Drake University, about the Drake experience and immediately I just got excited," Phelps said after his introductory news conference.

"We had another conversation on the phone. I was up here the next day, and now I'm the coach. It was just a whirlwind," he said.

He replaces Davis, the first-year coach who led the Bulldogs to one of the best seasons in school history. Drake compiled a 28-5 record, won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned the school's first NCAA tournament berth since 1971 and first national ranking in 33 years. The Bulldogs fell to Western Kentucky in the first round of the NCAAs.