Penn State basketball legend Talor Battle, the Nittany Lions’ career scoring leader, will be leaving the program to become an assistant coach at Northwestern, the school announced today.
Battle’s younger brother, Boo Buie, is a junior guard for Northwestern who has averaged 10.4 points per game during his two-year career. So now big brother will be coaching little brother with the Wildcats.
Congrats to @Coach_Battle on his move to Northwestern. Bright future ahead for him. He was a huge help in my early adjustment. He already knows how I feel about him 🚑😵💀⚰️ https://t.co/PEauHtEcph
— Micah Shrewsberry (@Coach_Shrews) May 11, 2021
Battle served as an assistant coach on the PSU staff last season. He was hired by Patrick Chambers, then remained on the staff under interim coach Jim Ferry after Chambers resigned.
New coach Micah Shrewsberry did not retain Battle as an assistant coach, but last month he did name the PSU legend to the position of assistant to the head coach.
But Battle had a better offer come along as an assistant at Northwestern under coach Chris Collins.
“We’re excited to welcome Talor to the program,” Collins said in a university release. “His track record as an elite player in this league makes him an incredible mentor for our players, and an obviously compelling recruiter. He has a great knowledge of the game and an undeniable passion for coaching that will be great additions to the staff.”
“My wife Gretchen, our daughters and I are excited for the opportunity to join the Northwestern basketball program,” Battle said in the release. “With this role brings a new atmosphere, culture and family that I’m already proud to be a part of. I am fired up about the vision and direction Coach Collins has for this program. I look forward to learning from Coach Collins and accomplishing special things here in Evanston.”
More background on Battle, from the Northwestern release:
Battle, a 2011 Associated Press honorable-mention All-American, is Penn State’s all-time leading scorer with 2,213 career points during his four-year career. He helped lead the Nittany Lions to the 2009 National Invitation Tournament championship, the program’s first national title, and a program-record 27 wins that season. He earned All-Big Ten Tournament Team honors in 2011 as Penn State advanced to its first Big Ten Tournament championship game and first NCAA tournament appearance in a decade.
The Albany, N.Y., native is one of only two players to lead Penn State in scoring in four-straight seasons. He was the first Nittany Lion to twice earn All-Big Ten first team, first-team NABC All-District and first-team USBWA honors, and four-time team MVP accolades.
Battle finished his career in the Top-5 of Penn State’s career lists for assists (4th; 517), 3-point field goals (3rd; 317), field goals (2nd; 722) and free throws (4th; 452), as well as setting the career record for starts (131) and Big Ten record for career minutes played (4,799). He still holds several positions on single-season Top-10 stat lists.
Battle graduated from Penn State in 2011 with a degree in recreation, park, and tourism management.
He and his wife, Gretchen, are the parents of two daughters, Layna and Stella.
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