Penn State's third-year coach is so accustomed to bad news that, after finishing a cell phone call earlier this year about an update on a possible recruit, he turned to somebody else and joked, "That's the first good news I've gotten all year."

Penn State has put its faith in DeChellis, a coach who turned around the East Tennessee State program. At Penn State, his task is enormous because he must attract recruits to a rural school that traditionally has been a basketball afterthought. DeChellis will need a few years of recruiting to improve his roster and revive the Lions' tradition.

Last year's freshmen, led by Danny Morrissey, Mike Walker and Geary Claxton, showed promise. And the Lions welcome five freshmen and two new juniors who are transfers.

Gradually, DeChellis is building the Nittany Lions in his image.

-- By Chico Harlan