UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State basketball is not dancing in the NCAA tournament, is not participating in the National Invitation Tournament or any other postseason, but the Nittany Lions picked up a vote of confidence Thursday afternoon.
Athletic director Sandy Barbour announced a two-year contract extension for coach Patrick Chambers, keeping Chambers at the helm through at least the 2018-19 season.
"I am grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm for the men's basketball program [president] Eric Barron, Sandy Barbour and the Penn State administration have shown," Chambers said in a statement. "We are proud of what we have accomplished, but know there is so much more ahead. I think our staff and players have laid a foundation to build upon for years to come.”
After a 12-1 start this season, the Nittany Lions finished 18-16, including two wins in the Big Ten tournament. Since Chambers’ introduction in 2011, the Lions are 56-75 and haven’t won more than six regular-season conference games. However, their record this season resulted in the team’s most wins since 2011. Chambers’ tenure has already been marked by rebuilding while trying to change the basketball culture at a school through all phases of program development.
Barbour, who was introduced as athletic director in July, publicly backed Chambers for at least the past month. She went on a local radio show and said he is “going to build us a long-term, sustainable winner at Penn State.” That support didn’t waiver when the season ended. The two will meet this offseason to discuss the continued vision of the program.
“I support what Patrick is doing and I support his long-term leadership of this program,” Barbour said in a statement. “I love the heart with which his team represents the university, Nittany Nation and the community, both on the court with measureable success and improvements and off.
“With a core group of returning players and the highest-rated recruiting class in school history coming next fall, the future is certainly promising.”
Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4.
First Published: March 19, 2015, 9:44 p.m.
