Barbour: PC the coach next year

[Craftsy21]

Funny... someone in that IGT the other day claimed Pat never talks to guys when they come out of the game, but in here we're being told that he's constantly grabbing players by the shirt and saying mean things to them.

I've seen him get after guys sometimes when they come over to the bench for a timeout, but it's hardly Bobby Knight screaming at them. I don't recall him ever putting his hands on a player though, not in a violent manner. That would stick out to me for sure.

I also notice he doesn't do it to everybody, I think Shep probably gets the worst of it but I think that's because Shep seems like he can handle it the most. And I bet you Chambers has a lot of insight into how all his guys react to different kinds of coaching by now.

[Evan_Ceg]

I'm a Chambers fan, but I have to question the quality of his assistants. Dwayne Anderson had no coaching experience prior to being hired by Chambers; he was Villanova stock. Ross Condon was a Villanova walk-on who has followed Chambers except for a two-year stint at Radford as a DoBO under Brad Greenberg. Keith Urgo was the odd man out at Villanova when Jay Wright had to add a black assistant to his staff. The chief hiring criteria for Chambers seems to be that they are (a) hard working, (b) loyal, (c) have a Villanova connection and (d) be from Philly or Greater DC.

I surmise that these guys are good recruiters. But how well do they teach the game? I've not been impressed with the team's fundamentals and particularly with the post play. Watkins succeeds primarily on his athleticism. Moore has improved only a little. Can Paige bring some productive minutes next year?

I'm sure Pat understands what's at stake here, and he may well choose to sink or swim with these guys. I prefer he bring in an assistant(s) with experience with other systems and concepts, especially on offense, and someone particularly noted for teaching posts.

James Franklin made a tough decision to dump longtime friend John Donovan as offensive coordinator and hire Joe Moorhead. He made the move for his sake and the team's. Does Chambers see a need to make a similar call and, if he does, does he have the stone to do it?

There appears to be little interaction between Pat and his assistants on the sideline. I obviously can't say what the dynamic is during coaches' meetings, pre-game and at halftime. How open is Pat to advice from his assistants? I don't know.

[UncleLar]

(GIVEN: If this group stays intact, it's hard from the current vantage point to imagine a stats-based case for playing well and ending up with a losing record.)

Injuries

[Tom]

"Despite the losing season, Carr hasn’t lost sight of the vision for program’s future.

“When I came here, I knew this wasn’t going to be like an overnight process of us just being one of the best teams in the Big Ten my first year,” Carr said. “Everything’s a process. You don’t just jump into something and make it in one day. I knew coming here that it wasn’t going to be all roses and giggles."

Penn State coach Patrick Chambers appreciates support from Sandy Barbour

[hoopla]

Never said he CONSTANTLY is grabbing players. His demeanor and interaction with his players is something that bothers me. He definitely had Lamar by the shirt a few games ago and I just don't think there is a justification for that. Maybe he had him by the shirt and was telling him how wonderful he is ( just kidding) but it just doesn't look good.

[zac1397]

I am in the give him an extension camp, but acting like that it is clear is ridiculous. Keeping him puts him on the hottest seat in the country.next year.

[rwd5035]

I am in the give him an extension camp, but acting like that it is clear is ridiculous.

It's clear if the program wants to give Pat the best opportunity to do his job. He's still on the hot seat next year regardless of whatever extension he gets.

[timauman]

As far as next year, the B1G finish is likely to be a great measurement, and should be fine. In close cases, I'd look past that to the underlying stats, though.
Job 1: Recruiting. What's that trend?
Job 2: Playing well. What's that trend?

The thing that has been nagging me since day one is that while it appears the program is making progress in #1, I am seeing little, if any progress in #2. In my opinion, it shouldn't take 6+ years to show progress in playing well. I like Chambers but I find this lack of progress disconcerting.

[CAPPY]

Seven hard truths for Penn State basketball as Patrick Chambers is green-lighted...

[tjb]

@eric17:

Penn State Basketball: Public Vote of Confidence Not Enough from Sandy Barbour

[hoopla]

Hopefully not many more carefrontations. Maybe DZ will be an obvious one, surprised he hasn't packed his bags.

[Tom]

No real benefit to additional carefrontations. You don't want to have zero bench next year.

[rwd5035]

Hopefully not many more carefrontations. Maybe DZ will be an obvious one, surprised he hasn't packed his bags.

First off, how do we know these are carefrontations? Second, do you have some kind of problem with DZ or?

[hoopla]

DZ has become a practice squad player and why would he enjoy that? Not playing someone like IW is a form of forcing a player out. Do you think PC wouldn't do that?

[rwd5035]

Not playing someone like IW is a form of forcing a player out. Do you think PC wouldn't do that?

Can you explain what you're saying here. I have probably read this about 4 or 5 times and come to 4 or 5 different conclusions that you could've meant by this. Do I think PC could force players out? Yea, he could, it's not unfathomable in the world of collegiate athletics for any coach to do that. Everyone's Cinderella story, Northwestern, has their own issue with this right now with Johnnie Vassar.

As far as trying to understand how a D1 athlete thinks, I'll defer to you for that sort of expertise. Maybe Davis isn't happy on the team right now, I'm not sure, but I won't try to assume I know how he's feeling or how he thinks.

[State4Life]

Not playing someone like IW is a form of forcing a player out.

What do you mean by this comment? Do you honestly think he should have had more PT? I thought there was a large drop in play when he came in over our other guards. Supposedly the kid has wonderful parents and is a great kid, I'm not denying any of that, but I didn't see anything from him on the court that suggested to me that he should have been seeing more PT.

[psubball]

DZ has become a practice squad player and why would he enjoy that? Not playing someone like IW is a form of forcing a player out. Do you think PC wouldn't do that?

If by that statement you mean a player that is better suited to play at a lower level D1 or high D2, then I am in complete agreement with you. It is DZ and IW's decision on whether or not to accept their role in the program.

[hoopla]

I just find it comical how many people think Saint Patrick doesnt force kids out of this program. Whether it is a carefrontation or just mysteriously benching a kid, the intent is to get them moving on. He recruited the players so I think he owes them a bit of respect. I loved his mid season announcement that IW would be seeing much more time-that was total nonsense. Of course IW isnt better than the current crop, so just accept he was forced out to free a scholarship.

[tjb]

If you think IW's playing time is a mystery I recommend you save your season ticket dollars and switch to Netflix.

I'm not saying he or anyone else should be carefronted, but you betray your real motivation by ridiculous arguments.

[psubball]

I just find it comical how many people think Saint Patrick doesnt force kids out of this program. Whether it is a carefrontation or just mysteriously benching a kid, the intent is to get them moving on. He recruited the players so I think he owes them a bit of respect. I loved his mid season announcement that IW would be seeing much more time-that was total nonsense. Of course IW isnt better than the current crop, so just accept he was forced out to free a scholarship.

If your post was directed at me, let me be more clearer. My point of highlighting your post was to have you address the statement, "someone like IW". Let me try it directly....what did you mean by that statement? And for the record, I had IW as a guy being on the fence entering this year to show he could play at the Big Ten level. Obviously through coaches evaluating him through practice, it was shown he would be more successful at a different level of college ball. Dicey part of the situation is that Isaiah is from Williamsport, the closest "basketball" town near State College, which has historically shown to produce D1 talent. Don't think for one moment that fact hasn't been discussed within the basketball offices. Pat and crew will make sure he has a soft landing somewhere else and will make sure his people back home will be included every step of the way.