My City February 2022

MYSPORTS

COACH KENO DAVIS (CENTER) INSTRUCTS THE TRYOUT PARTICIPANTS

He found one, but it was 5,800 miles away in the former Soviet republic of Armenia. While playing there and missing the important people in his life, including a young son, Adams received an Ins- tagram message which lifted his spirits almost immediate- ly. It was from a member of Flint United’s management team, asking if Adams would be interested in joining the team for its inaugural season. “I didn’t even know Flint was going to have a new team, but I did some research and it looked like an organization I wanted to be a part of,” Adams says.

“It’s great to be home with my (three-year-old) son and close to family. Plus, I’m now working and coaching at International Academy. It’s a win-win situation.” e situation has also been a win-win for Coach Davis, who was left pon- dering his next move after a nine-season run as Central Michigan University head coach ended last spring. When Flint United coach Charlie Bell stepped down last fall, team owner Kevin Mays, a state discus champi- on while attending Carman Ainsworth High School and a track All-American at CMU, reached out to Davis.

THE PLAY WAS INTENSE AS INVITEES BATTLED FOR A ROSTER SPOT.

“I have stayed in touch with Kevin and other Central Michigan alumni, so he called me to gauge my interest in the job and it seemed like the right thing for me,”Davis says. “I could tell how excited Kevin is about the team and I was excited about the oppor- tunity. I jumped right into it because the toughest thing for a coach is to not be coaching.”

Davis had coached in the college ranks every season but one beginning in 1991-92, including head coaching stints at Drake and Providence pri- or to joining the Chippewas. He was introduced as the next Flint United coach in November 2021. “I’m learning every day about coaching at this level, but, of course, I’ve always

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