As Penn State gets set to hire a new basketball coach in the coming weeks, former coach Patrick Chambers just might be in position for another job running a Division I program.
According to college basketball reporter Adam Zagoria, Chambers is one of three candidates being considered for the head coaching job at Fordham. The Rams finished 2-12 overall this season, 2-11 and in last place in the Atlantic 10.
The other two candidates for the Fordham job, according to Zagoria, are Bryant coach Jared Grasso and Saint Peter’s coach Shaheen Holloway.
Fordham focusing on 3 candidates for head coaching job. https://t.co/QgnbQOhtcD
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 5, 2021
Chambers did some good work at Penn State, leading the program to an NIT championship three years ago and a sure NCAA Tournament bid last season (although the tourney was canceled before Selection Sunday).
But Chambers was forced out at PSU in late October because of some questionable behavior, including using the word “noose” with former player Rasir Bolton. Jim Ferry took over as the Nittany Lions’ interim coach, but it’s doubtful he will be retained with PSU currently at 9-13 overall and 6-12 in the Big Ten.
It would come as a surprise to many if Chambers were to get another head coaching job so soon.
Zagoria noted that in his story on the Fordham coaching search, writing:
“Hiring Chambers would come with some obvious baggage, and it’s unclear how his hire would be received by African-American high school and AAU coaches as well as players.”
Chambers has kept a low profile since resigning from Penn State, although he did appear on a podcast hosted by PSU players Myreon Jones and John Harrar in late December. Chambers said this during the podcast:
“I learned I’ve got to be more mindful with words, that hurt me,” Chambers said. “I did a deeper dive over the last couple of years about the history of our players and what we need to do better and things of that nature. That education still goes on as I sit down here down south…but what a learned experience for me, and I’m only going to get better.”
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