When referring to ‘a new era’ for an athletic program, it typically includes a new coaching staff.
Central Michigan does not cross off that checkmark as head coach Keno Davis enters his fifth season at the helm, while all of his top assistants – Jeff Smith, Kevin Gamble and Kyle Gerdeman – have been at his side for the same length of time.
But when you look at the 2016-17 roster, the case can be made that the Chippewas are entering some form of a new era after going a combined 40-25 the previous two seasons.
Gone to graduation are four players in Chris Fowler, John Simons, Austin Stewart and Rayshawn Simmons who were connected at the hip to Davis in turning around the fortunes of CMU men’s basketball.