For some, this is the best time of the year in college basketball with the NCAA Tournament kicking off this week. For others, the coaching carousel has officially begun around the country with a number of coaches losing their jobs, and others quickly finding new job opportunities.
Among those latching on to a new job as the spinning coaching carousel hits its stride is Pat Chambers, who was relieved of his coaching duties at Penn State prior to the 2020-21 season. Chambers has officially been introduced as the new head coach of Florida Gulf Coast University. Chambers, who accumulated a head coaching record of 148-150 in nine seasons as Penn State’s head coach, reflected on the opportunity to be a head coach again after previously being relieved of his duties at Penn State two years ago. Chambers was removed as head coach following an investigation into allegations of mishandling his treatment of players.
“The last 18 months I’ve been continuing to grow and educate and self-reflect,” Chambers said at his introductory press conference on Tuesday, according to a release from the school. “I’m confident that you, my next team, my players, my future players, you’ll be getting the best leader, best teacher and best coach because I’ve learned a lot from my past. I promise you that. I’m confident in that.”
Chambers served as an assistant at LaSalle for the 2021-22 season. Chambers previously had two seasons of head coaching experience at Boston and he served on the Villanova coaching staff under Jay Wright.
While Chambers does have a losing record at Penn State, it is unfair to neglect the results Penn State had on the court in his final season as the head coach. Penn State put together a 21-10 record in 2019-20 and were on track for a spot in the NCAA Tournament for just the fourth time since joining the Big Ten in 1993. But that season was cut short prematurely as the NCAA shut down the tournament before it even got started amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s earlier days impacting the world of sports. Chambers also coached Penn State to an NIT title two seasons before that.
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