Temple University Athletics
Hall of Fame
Chaney, John
John Chaney
- Induction:
- 2009
Temple University Hall of Fame basketball coach John Chaney retired March 13, 2006, after 24 years of leading one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation. As a coach, he earned more than 700 wins in more than 1,000 games.
His basketball career began at Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia, where he earned MVP in the Philadelphia Public League. He graduated in 1955 from Bethune-Cookman College, where he was honored as an NAIA All-American player. He then joined the Eastern Basketball League, where he played professionally for 10 years. He also holds a master’s degree from Antioch College. Before Chaney’s arrival at the helm of the Temple men’s basketball team in 1982, the Temple basketball program had never participated in back-to-back NCAA tournaments. Under Chaney’s leadership, the Owls earned five consecutive tournament appearances between 1984 and 1988 and 12 straight appearances from 1990 to 2001. A total of 23 of Chaney’s 24 Temple teams played in post-season tournaments. He became the second Temple coach inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame upon his election in 2002, joining Harry Litwack, who coached at Temple from 1952 to 1973. During his tenure, Chaney was twice named the national Division 1 coach of the year and his 1987-1988 team ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country.Â
His basketball career began at Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia, where he earned MVP in the Philadelphia Public League. He graduated in 1955 from Bethune-Cookman College, where he was honored as an NAIA All-American player. He then joined the Eastern Basketball League, where he played professionally for 10 years. He also holds a master’s degree from Antioch College. Before Chaney’s arrival at the helm of the Temple men’s basketball team in 1982, the Temple basketball program had never participated in back-to-back NCAA tournaments. Under Chaney’s leadership, the Owls earned five consecutive tournament appearances between 1984 and 1988 and 12 straight appearances from 1990 to 2001. A total of 23 of Chaney’s 24 Temple teams played in post-season tournaments. He became the second Temple coach inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame upon his election in 2002, joining Harry Litwack, who coached at Temple from 1952 to 1973. During his tenure, Chaney was twice named the national Division 1 coach of the year and his 1987-1988 team ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country.Â
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