Penn State Coaching Profile: Patrick Chambers

by Adam Bittner on Jun 2, 2011 9:30 AM EDT in Basketball

Penn State athletic director Tim Curley says the Nittany Lions could have a new coach "very soon," and Boston University coach Patrick Chambers has been one of the names thrown around from the very start. Today, in the third installment of our coaching profile series, we take a deeper look at the soon-to-be third-year coach. Check out our pieces on Jim Boylen and Ron Everhart here and here.

Chambers has posted back-to-back 21-14 seasons with the Terriers in his first two years and took BU to the NCAA Tournament as a 16-seed this past season. He spent time as an assistant with Jay Wright at Villanova and has a lot of Philadelphia recruiting connections. Today, Anthony from Sports of Boston answers some questions about the coach and how he operates.

What has worked for Chambers during his time at Boston?

I believe that his positive attitude, determination to win, willingness to improve, and also patience has helped Coach Chambers through both seasons as head basketball coach. Boston University has not been blessed with the best basketball talent these past couple of years, but Coach has done an admirable job with what he has been given. He had to overcome many challenges that most other schools don't face, such as the laundry list of injuries to key players that has plagued BU over the years (Tyler Morris, Scott Brittain last year) and (Jake O'Brien this year). Also, before the magical run by the Terriers this year, BU did a sub-par job in promoting the sport. Hockey is and has been the pride and joy of Commonwealth Ave, and many students had "given up" faith in the basketball program. The team also has to split home courts between two separate gyms, Case and Agganis Arena. He also never backs down to challenges, as he has placed BU to compete in several tough pre-season tournaments (Puerto Rico Tip Off and NIT Invitational).

What has gone wrong during his tenure?

Injuries with the team. I don't recall a program that has been hampered by injuries as bad as the Terriers have faced. Last year, Scott Brittain is forced to retire because he had exceeded the amount of concussions a player should have in their college years, and Tyler Morris breaks his hand in practice. This year, the Terriers lose Jake O'Brien, a perennial power forward, midway through the season, and John Holland sprains his right ankle during the America East Tourney and also during practice before the NCAA's. These were major setbacks that Coach had to face.

What can you tell us about elements of his coaching style like defensive philosophy, tempo, etc.?

Defense and defense. Taking care of the ball. Rebounding. These were the topics that Coach has stressed during his short tenure. He has also been known to say after games "winning is easier you just make shots". BU has also been known as an up-tempo team these past two years, hoisting up close to 800 three pointers per year (not to Chambers' liking) but they have played their best when scoring in transition on the fast break.

Can you speak to Chambers' personality? Is he fiery or more laid back? Is he a player's coach or a disciplinarian?

From what I know, Coach has been known to be fiery at times, especially when the moment is right. During the NCAA tournament game against Kansas, spectators could see the will and drive to win in his eyes, even though he knew that BU was very outmatched by Kansas. Also, he has always been a supportive leader, always encouraging his players to improve and keep working to get better.

What can you say about his recruiting tendencies? What does he do well and what are some things he could do better?

I have been pleased with his recruiting tendencies. As a small tier school, it is almost impossible to get highly touted recruits to come to your program. Last year, Coach had brought over three transfers and also three freshman recruits that definitely made contributions to the success of the Terriers. He recruited DJ Irving and Dom Morris, two under the radar Philly and Delaware prospects that have made large strides out of high school. This year, he has brought on several more recruits from the New England area, and we should keep an eye out for James Kennedy. If I had one complaint, I would wish that Coach Chambers would recruit from the midwest or even west coast. I know players are reluctant to travel across country and play for BU, but I feel that this would attract more talent in the future, if you diversified your teams' geographic location.

Could you talk about his recruiting ties to Philadelphia? What contributions have they made to Boston's cause so far?

DJ Irving & Dom Morris have already been significant assets to the BU squad. Travis Robinson is a high-flying athletic player that will have his name heard more and more over the next three years. BU also picked up several transfers, including Daryl Partin from La Salle. Alongside Jake O'Brien, Partin could be one of the best players in the America East next year. Coach is from the Philly area and has great knowledge with the schools and teams located there.

Do you think he has the necessary experience to coach in a Power Six team?

Being under the tutelage of Jay Wright at Villanova, I believe Pat Chambers has the skill and experience to be the leader of a program in the Big Ten conference. He showed that he could mold a young and unproven BU team together and lead them into the NCAA tourney, a feat that BU had not accomplished since 2002. Coach has the charisma and passion to be successful on a national stage.

Any general thoughts on the coach?

I have been very happy with his two years of success at BU. In the past, I used to attend Dennis Wolff coached games, and they were flat out miserable. Our team had no fight and Coach Wolff looked as if he had given up. Making the NCAA tournament this year and putting up a respectable fight against Kansas pleased many BU fans across the nation. I understand that news had come out Coach Chambers had just signed a contract extension until the 2015-16 season, and I am hoping that he chooses to stay at BU!

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Comments

If this is truly our pool of candidates

I will lead the torch and pitchfork waving mob to Tim Curley’s office if Chambers isn’t hired. Don’t hate the other guys or anything, but this needs to be our guy.

--
A T-bone steak, cheese, eggs, and Welch's grape.
@scrappled
Slow States - Football, music, craft beer, and podcasts with an industrial slant.

by Run Up The Score on Jun 2, 2011 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I would not be disappointed with Boylen, either.

--
A T-bone steak, cheese, eggs, and Welch's grape.
@scrappled
Slow States - Football, music, craft beer, and podcasts with an industrial slant.

by Run Up The Score on Jun 2, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

We should just lock this guy up now.

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

+1 for both comments.

These are good options. Pick one of them and we’ve probably made a coaching upgrade.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Jun 2, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

These are definitely my favorites

and not because of the Evernhart violations, which I think are pretty minor. I just don’t care for Evernhart’s pedigre.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Like his lack of an ability to coach?

What does it say that you guys aren't shocked you had 28 players committ major infractions over the past 8 years and your coach did nothing about it?

Follow me: @Ben_Jones88
Blogging at Victory Bell Rings and Black Shoe Diaries

by Ben Jones on Jun 2, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, pretty much. I personally think Ed D is a better coach than Everhart.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

These two would be my list also.

Chambers 1, Boylen 1a.

by CvilleLion on Jun 2, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

If you believe the ESPN updates (Katz, etc)...

Boylen hasn’t even been given an interview. Who knows if he has even been contacted. I would have thought your AD would have at least brought him in to talk. Unlike some of the other candidates, at least he’s won his conference and made the NCAA Tournament.

He’s a good coach so I hope he gets a chance. I lot of us miss him already in Salt Lake. Our team is going to be terrible next year without him and all the players who transferred in his absence.

by SLCUte1 on Jun 2, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

HE has to apply for the job before he can be interviewed. Its a state job and there are rules for applying.

If he doesn’t apply, he doesn’t get an interview. Curly can contact him and say Hey, Apply. but Boylen has to apply to get an interview as with anyone else.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Boylen got an interview. fwiw

What does it say that you guys aren't shocked you had 28 players committ major infractions over the past 8 years and your coach did nothing about it?

Follow me: @Ben_Jones88
Blogging at Victory Bell Rings and Black Shoe Diaries

by Ben Jones on Jun 2, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I figured he would. The University has done a good job keeping everything close to the vest on this.

Which will pay off when they hire a football coach. Unless someone blabs that they got an interview, or somehow the media finds out, the university won’t be the one spillling the beans on someone, like when Michigan screwed up and someone let the Les Miles thing out of the bag too early and he had to say yeah or nay before the bowl game and was SORRY UM, I am staying.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Is that true?

The last update I read was a bit strange. It indicated 4 were being interviewed, then only listed Everhart, Jeter and Chambers. The 4th was a mystery.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Jun 2, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

ESPN knows nothing

What does it say that you guys aren't shocked you had 28 players committ major infractions over the past 8 years and your coach did nothing about it?

Follow me: @Ben_Jones88
Blogging at Victory Bell Rings and Black Shoe Diaries

by Ben Jones on Jun 2, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

because PSU doesn't have ESPN insider wantabes.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't tell if that's a joke or not.lol

What does it say that you guys aren't shocked you had 28 players committ major infractions over the past 8 years and your coach did nothing about it?

Follow me: @Ben_Jones88
Blogging at Victory Bell Rings and Black Shoe Diaries

by Ben Jones on Jun 3, 2011 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions

ESPN guys love to blast PSU, especially in basketball

Then when something big is happening they are ticked because no one will share any info with them because of all the ill will they have made. All they do is guess and go with outside sources. Dave Jones probably has more inside infor on the BB team than any media person. I notice Cory GIger hasn’t had much to say, LOL. You would think a local guy might know someone that knows something but Cory has decided to be a Pittsburgh media outlet and gets treated by the AD as such.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 3, 2011 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions

speak of the devil

just ccalled him out on twitter. CG that is

by Milne4heisman94 on Jun 3, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Regardless

I think this is going down today, dude.

Adam
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh, Daily Collegian Sports, BT Powerhouse, @fugimaster24
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Jun 2, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

As long as Fugi agrees

to stop calling it Boston.

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Does anyone in New England refer to it as anything but BU?

"Colonel, I do not care to die, but I pray to God I may never leave this field."

by ReadingRambler on Jun 2, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Negative.

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to call if Boston.

Not everyone has heard of “BU” whether it’s called that locally or not.

Adam
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh, Daily Collegian Sports, BT Powerhouse, @fugimaster24
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Jun 2, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Locally, or everywhere. Whatever.

So what do you call Boston College? The Boston Conservatory? Boston Architectural College? Boston Baptist?

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

The official name of the school is Boston University.

I don’t understand what the big deal is here.

Adam
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh, Daily Collegian Sports, BT Powerhouse, @fugimaster24
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Jun 2, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

There are just so many schools that you could

be talking about when you say Boston. Most importantly, it could be confused with BC. Coming from a BU family, I cannot allow a reference that might confuse it with that other school, the one filled with a@#$%^#@.

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I used Boston University on first reference, though.

Adam
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh, Daily Collegian Sports, BT Powerhouse, @fugimaster24
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...

by Adam Bittner on Jun 2, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Indeed you did.

You are just the only person who has ever referred to it that way. That’s all. Just trying to help a brother out.

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

When I hear BU I think of

Boston University. I guess USC could be Souther Cal or South Carolina. But then PSU could be Portland State University, but the hell if I’m going to type The Pennsylvania State University so a few internet goons don’t get confused.

Unsupervised children will be given a case of 4loco and a basket of kittens

by rahpsu92 on Jun 2, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I think of Bucknell :)

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Baylor for me

by hbeach08 on Jun 2, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed, Baylor

Fire Dan Snyder

by Cari Greene on Jun 2, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

What, no love for Bloomsburg?

by CvilleLion on Jun 2, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

is see BU and think Bloom....

Then again we play them every year.

by Milne4heisman94 on Jun 2, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Binghamton

A little love for the Souther Tier.

Sarcastradamus!
Snide predictions since 2010!

by SarcasmJam on Jun 2, 2011 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

that's balony

by PSUWifey on Jun 2, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree! Foog, do not call it Boston. Please.

My grandmother went to BU. My grandfather went to MIT. I guess they were big on initials up there.

by PSUWifey on Jun 2, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Nova...

hasn’t been the same without him. He was a great asset to Jay Wright. He was Wright’s top strategy guy and his enforcer. The players loved and respected him. He’d be a great get for PSU.

I am epic win.

by Esteban d' Amur on Jun 2, 2011 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Pictured: Pat Chambers raises his fist in excitement at getting a great new job only to realize (See facial expression) that he has been hired by Penn State.

"Colonel, I do not care to die, but I pray to God I may never leave this field."

by ReadingRambler on Jun 2, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Curley will screw this up

by PennStateBasketball on Jun 2, 2011 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

I’m concerned that the fact this has taken as long as it has is an indication that TC is having to move pretty far down the list of preferred candidates. I would hope, as it seems like a no-brainer to us, that Chambers was near or at the top. I’m starting to lose confidence that he’ll be our guy as the hours tick away. I really hope I’m wrong…

by phanatic's phloozies on Jun 2, 2011 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

It's been about a week.

That’s not particularly long for a coaching search, especially one that’s this late in the process. Curley hired a consultant, created a list, narrowed it down, and is now interviewing candidates. Maybe some candidate interviews were moved for personal reasons or professional commitments. Maybe the Memorial Day holiday played a role. There’s no real indication that Curley has screwed up the process here except that some people think he’s incompetent as a knee jerk reaction.

I think someone should commission a poll on fan satisfaction with their athletic director. I’m convinced that everyone thinks theirs is incompetent, unless s/he was hired within the last month.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Jun 2, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the Memorial Day holiday played a part.

if a coach is named by friday i would consider it moving fast

by Milne4heisman94 on Jun 2, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't

The school had to officially post the job, the interested parties then have to officially apply for the job before the school can interview. It is basically handled like an application for a state job. There is not an easy way to quickly interview anyone at the university.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

How do minority interviews work in basketball?

There’s also the possibility they literally can’t hire someone until they schedule a minority interview and that may be holding this up.

"This is being a Penn State fan. We’ll prove it, or we won’t. It’s not about proving it to them, it’s about proving to ourselves."

by mvrck on Jun 2, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

That's not an issue if they've interviewed Rob Jeter.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Jun 2, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Bo Ryan

This guys style reminds me of Bo Ryan (just from what I read here).

by state08 on Jun 2, 2011 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

I would be very OK with this.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Jun 2, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Expect he doesn't

look like the living dead. Braaaaiiiiinnnnssss!!!

Unsupervised children will be given a case of 4loco and a basket of kittens

by rahpsu92 on Jun 2, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

If he gets hired

I’ll buy everyone a nissan 350Z

I AM PHIL DAVISON AND I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR MY TONE TONIGHT

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Jun 2, 2011 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

do you already have a dealer hookup?

seems like you might need one.

Fire Dan Snyder

by Cari Greene on Jun 2, 2011 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I take mine in white. with black rims please

by Milne4heisman94 on Jun 2, 2011 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like mine in candy apple red please

Or maybe orange. I saw one in a nice burnt orange I liked once.

by PSUWifey on Jun 2, 2011 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

boo, you have been in Texas too long.

orange is my favorite color for a sports car…..

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 2, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I was a Longhorn fan long before I moved here. Before I went to PSU even.

by PSUWifey on Jun 2, 2011 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

UT was my non PSU team in the dark years.

Cuz every 13 year old needs a winning team to root for with his friends. and watching them beat U$C on my Dads longest birthday ever, that was fun too.

by Milne4heisman94 on Jun 2, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I always liked their uniforms, secretly of course

My favorite uni is obviously the blue and white but UT’s are pretty basic and nice. It was just hard getting over the Nixon thing as a kid, but then being raised by a woman that told me all republicans were going to hell made it easy to dislike Nixon long before that happened. She has mellowed her stance now that she is in her eighties, and all politicians are going to hell.

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Jun 3, 2011 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions

is that really mellowing?

It sounds like she’s just upped her judgement

by The JuggerNitt on Jun 3, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like mine to be traditional,

White with a Blue Stripe, and no name on the back.

Settle it on the field!

by PSUncle1981 on Jun 3, 2011 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions

We got him!!!???

BSD Wentworth
Co-Founding Partner
Chariman, Hiring Committee*

*Accepting Applications

by PSUinBOSSton on Jun 2, 2011 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

sure lookin' that way, huh :)

And with this post at the top page, BSD has just hit SEO paydirt.

by PSUWifey on Jun 2, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Has anyone realized Chambers’ Director of Basketball Ops (who came with PC from ’Nova) is a PSU alum and was a manager with the mens team as an undergrad?

by nittanylion0 on Jun 2, 2011 8:18 PM EDT reply actions