Pat Chambers has been the head coach of Penn State. Wednesday, however, he has decided to step down as head coach. This may come as a surprise to some, but controversy has surrounded Chambers and his coaching style for several months now.
Penn State’s Pat Chambers Steps Down as Head Coach
According to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, Chambers is stepping down as head coach.
BREAKING: Penn State’s Pat Chambers is resigning, sources told @stadium.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 21, 2020
Chambers was with Penn State for nine seasons. During that time, Chambers had a record of 148 wins and 150 losses with Penn State. The Nittany Lions are not a basketball powerhouse, so this record is better than it appears.
He also led the team to an NIT Championship in 2018 with 26 wins and 13 losses overall. Chambers is still under contract with the university through the 2021-2022 season. However, he decides to forego those two remaining seasons and move on.
Pat Chambers Controversy
Chambers was with Penn State since 2011. This was the longest tenure he has ever had as a college head coach. He was also the head coach of Boston University from 2009-2011.
He led the Penn State Nittany Lions to 12 wins and two losses out of the gate last season. The Nittany Lions even reached the top ten at the end of last season for the first time in a long time.
However, at the same time, there was also some controversy surrounding Pat Chambers.
Chambers was investigated for comments he made to former player Rasir Bolton.
Bolton said he decided to leave Penn State after Chambers referenced "a noose around my neck" in a meeting between them. https://t.co/mFmgRTMKuC
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 21, 2020
Former Penn State basketball player Rasir Bolton transferred to Iowa State in May of 2019. Bolton revealed a year later he decided to leave because of the “noose” comment made by Pat Chambers.
The Next Penn State Nittany Lions Head Coach
Goodman has also revealed that Jim Ferry will be the interim head coach of the season. Ferry was previously the college head coach of Plymouth State, Adelphi, Long Island, and Duquesne.
Penn State has announced Jim Ferry will be interim head coach for the season. Ferry was previously the head coach at Duquesne.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) October 21, 2020
According to PennLive, Ferry was hired as an assistant coach to improve Penn State’s offense. Furthermore, he is a laid-back head coach, which was a personality counterpoint to Chambers. Before that though, he has had 18 years as a college head coach.
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