John Chaney
Inducted:
2001
Player Stats
Born
January 21, 1932
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Died
January 29, 2021
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
Temple University
John Chaney was a titan of college basketball, a fierce advocate for student-athletes, and the architect of the modern Temple University basketball legacy. While he is often associated with the NBA due to the high volume of professional stars he produced—most notably Eddie Jones and Aaron McKie—Chaney’s true impact lay in his "life-first" coaching philosophy.
On the court, Chaney was a tactical genius known for his suffocating "matchup zone" defense, which consistently neutralized more athletic opponents. Despite coaching at a school with fewer resources than the "Blue Bloods," he led the Temple Owls to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and five Elite Eight runs. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Chaney's Awards and Honors
- College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- NCAA Division II National Champion (1978)
- 5x Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
- USBWA National Coach of the Year (1987, 1988)
- Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame (2010)
- 5 PSAC regular season (1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982)
- 7 PSAC tournament (1973, 1976–1980, 1982)
- 5x A-10 Coach of the Year (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000)
NBA Teams
Temple (1982–2006)
NBA Stats
Seasons coached:
38
Career coaching record:
741–312
Win (%):
.704
NCAA Division II Title:
1 (1978, Cheyney State)
Elite Eight Appearances:
5 (1988, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2001)
Atlantic 10 Titles:
8 Regular Season / 6 Tournament
NBA Draft Picks Produced:
14 (Graduates of Temple)
National Coach of the Year:
2 (1987, 1988)