PHILADELPHIA -- Hall of Fame men's basketball coach John Chaney will return to the Temple sidelines for the 2005-06 season, confirmed Temple University President Dr. David Adamany. Chaney, who has compiled a 724-297 won-loss record in his 33 seasons as a collegiate coach, needs one more win for his 500th at the school. He has posted a 499-238 record in his 23 years at Temple, guiding the Owls to 22 straight postseason tournaments.
"As far as I'm concerned, the events of this past basketball season are now behind us," said Adamany in a phone interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer Monday. "Coach Chaney publicly acknowledged his serious mistake, and publicly apologized, and privately apologized to John Bryant and his family. He has been suspended from coaching for a period of time for a mistake he made. This matter has come to rest."
Chaney served a five-game suspension following an incident that occurred during the team's game against Saint Joseph's on February 22. He returned to coach Temple in its First Round NIT game at Virginia Tech on March 16. The Owls lost that contest , 60-50, to end the season with a 16-14 record.
Ten of the 11 players will be back from the 2004-05 season with only non-returnee being senior reserve Wilbur Allen, who began his career as a walk-on. The Owls will again play one of the most competitive schedules in the nation with home games against Duke, Maryland, Alabama, Miami-FL and South Carolina and road contests at Auburn, Princeton, Rutgers and Villanova.
