During his nine-year career as the Lawrence High boys basketball coach, Chris Davis always tried to make sure his teams played with pride, passion and integrity.

Now it’s his goal that teams everywhere play the same way.

Citing a desire to move on to new challenges and to devote more time to his family, Davis retired this week, telling the LHS administration of his decision Tuesday and then telling his team Wednesday.

“I don’t know how to say it other than to say it was just time,” Davis said. “It’s been in the back of my mind for a while, but I didn’t think about it very often. I didn’t let it come into the season. There are a lot of things about it I’ll miss, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to the other opportunities that are out there that I’ll have a chance to pursue now.”

At the top of that list is Davis’ desire to continue working with young people. His new goal is to develop programs that preach sportsmanship, stress the importance of role models and detail how to coach and teach with such characteristics.

He also may jump back into teaching — he taught junior high social studies in South Dakota before coming to Lawrence — and said he would not rule out coaching junior high basketball down the road. He’d love to do both — coach and develop such programs — but the time constraints are too great.

“My hope is to find a way to make a difference on a larger scale, working with coaches, officials, parents and parents who coach,” Davis said. “That’s where my heart lies. That’s my passion.”

For nine seasons, Lawrence High basketball was his passion. In addition to guiding the Lions to three state-tournament appearances and delivering 113 victories (against 88 losses) Davis made his mark in other ways. His teams were among the first basketball squads to sing the school song on the floor before — and occasionally after — games, and it was his unwavering devotion to the “Lawrence High way” that inspired involvement from hundreds of community members.

“That school song, and that whole scene is so special,” Davis said. “That’s going to be with me forever.”

The news both shocked and saddened several members of Davis’ team, who said that they figured he was coming back next season. Speculation that Davis might hang it up when his son, Bobby (a 2009 LHS graduate), left the program, ran wild during the past two seasons. Davis admitted that the end of his son’s career was a factor in him at least thinking about his own future. But as recently as the team banquet on May 17, Davis said he had planned to return.

That’s why Wednesday’s announcement came as such a surprise.

“I was really shocked when he told us. I was not expecting that at all,” said senior-to-be Marcus Ray. “Now that I think about it, it’s his choice and I don’t blame him at all. He has to do what’s best for him.”

Despite the shock, Ray said he would always remember and appreciate the time he spent with Davis.

“All the times we had together, the practices, just the little things. I really enjoyed his coaching,” he said. “He always coached us but it was always fun at the same time.”

Newly named LHS principal Matt Brungardt said the school would act quickly in looking for Davis’ replacement. As with all coaching hires, the school will post the position, form a search committee and conduct interviews in the coming weeks.

“It’s a little unusual, you kind of hope you have everybody in place (by this point), but you have to play cards you’re dealt,” Brungardt said. “We’ll follow our regular protocol. Obviously, we’d like to go pretty quick. We want to hire a new coach as quick as we can.”

Davis would love nothing more.

“I’ll be happy to stay on in a transitional role if that will help,” he said. “My goal is to make this as positive a situation as possible for everyone. I’m not walking away. I just think it’s the right time for someone else to take the reins. I think the future of LHS basketball is still very good.”