Temple University Athletics

Dear Dunph

44744

This is a series of letters and videos to men's basketball head coach Fran Dunphy, who is in his final season of coaching at Temple University.
To submit a letter, email Morgyn Seigfried, Associate AD/Digital Strategy and Production at morgyn.seigfried@temple.edu. Please include a photo of yourself with coach Dunphy if possible.

Bill "Speedy" Morris (Former La Salle Head Coach) | Gregg Popovich (Spurs) | Ed Rendell (Former Governor of Pennsylvania) and David Montgomery (Chairman of the Philadelphia Phillies) | Bill Bradshaw (Temple AD 2002-13) | Brett Brown (76ers)
Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) | Steve Donahue (Penn) | Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph's) | Additional Letters

FORMER LA SALLE HEAD COACH BILL "SPEEDY" MORRIS

45233Dear Dunph,

Every so often (if you are lucky) someone comes into your life who makes a difference. You, my friend, are that someone for me. When I was hired to coach the men at La Salle, I was fortunate to have you and Joe Mihalich say yes to my offer to be an assistant coach. That was 32 years ago and you have been a great influence ever since. Thank you for the many phone calls, trips to the hospital, and work out facilities to see me. It meant a lot. You are a special man, Coach Dunphy, and the Morris family loves you and wishes you the best in all that you do.

Bill "Speedy" Morris
Asst. Athletic Director
Head Basketball Coach
St. Joseph's Prep

SPURS HEAD COACH GREGG POPOVICH

ED RENDELL AND DAVID MONTGOMERY

FORMER TEMPLE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BILL BRADSHAW (2002-13)

Bradshaw_BillDear Dunph,

    Since we go way back to the fall of '66 when you were beginning your freshman year at La Salle, and during my sophomore year here, it will be impossible to adequately describe what those 53 years of our friendship has meant to me.
 
     As a teammate of mine on the Explorer baseball team, you were one of the most talented athletes I ever played with, and just a great teammate.  Of course, those 10-course Italian dinners that Mama Dunphy would prepare for us on Sundays during the season were beyond special, and really brought home to us what an exceptional family you had, and how solid your upbringing had to be.
 
     As a key member of the Explorers '69 basketball team, considered by most to be the best ever in Philly, you represented the University in first class fashion, while helping 4 future NBA players to go 23-1 with a #2 ranking in the Final AP poll.  Your great defense on Calvin Murphy (who torched us for 52 at the Palestra the previous year) helped hold him to 24 (the lowest total at home in his career) and a big come-from-behind win at Niagara.
 
     About ten years later, we reunited back at La Salle where you were an Assistant Basketball Coach, during my early years as Athletic Director.
 
     A few years later, when you were the Head Coach at Penn, and I the A.D. at DePaul, I had the mistaken notion of stealing you away from Philly to become head coach at DePaul --- but that had no chance!
 
     But finally, as A.D. at Temple, we were very fortunate to snag you away from your beloved Quakers, to then lead our Owls to extraordinary success.  And, only a former Explorers' double-play combination could be the only Head Coach and A. D. in Big 5 history, to serve two different institutions.
 
     Watching you coach your players up-close gives one a unique perspective into your character.  How special your players felt about you.  How genuine your love for them was demonstrated, both while they played for you, and after they graduated.  How thoroughly you embraced the mission of the universities you served --- often picking up debris from sidewalks, introducing yourself to shy freshmen in their first week of school, or asking a security guard or administrative assistant about their families.
 
     For sure, there is nobody like you in Division I Basketball.  Nobody who cares so much about others, and yet competes so ferociously for your university.  Everyone believes you are a nice guy, an exceptional human being, but not everyone gets to see how exceptional you are as a coach, as an educator, and how you build character in young men and women.
 
     During those many times you are congratulated, praised or honored, you always go out of your way to explain how lucky you are.
 
     Luck is having you as a husband, a father, or as a coach.
 
     And, how lucky any of us is who you consider to be your friend.  Because nobody could have a more genuine, thoughtful, loyal and special friend as Fran Dunphy is to me.
 
     And indeed, you will be expected to buy the next round.
 
Your Friend,

Bill Bradshaw

76ERS HEAD COACH BRETT BROWN

DUKE HEAD COACH MIKE KRZYZEWSKI

45014Dear Dunph,

Congratulations on a stellar career!

We became close when you were the point guard on the All-Armed Forces team, and I had the honor of being a teammate and learning so much from you along the way. Basically, I carried the bags. But I watched and learned. I am not sure people understand what an outstanding player you were. We did because we got to see you compete every day.

Beyond that, you've always been a coach's coach and I tell people all the time that you are the most genuine person in our profession. The young men you've coached at Penn and Temple have been so fortunate to have you and your wife Ree become part of their lives. And, our profession has been privileged to have you serve as an amazing representative as a head coach since 1989.

More than anything, I am honored to be a friend of yours for such a long time. I truly wish you the very best in retirement, and while our game will miss you, the impact you've had on it will last forever. It was a blessing to have you represent our sport as a player and a coach for so many years.

I hope the celebration of your career is worthy of how truly great is has been.  

Sincerely,

Mike Krzyzewski
Duke University and U.S. National Team Head Basketball Coach (2005-16)

PENN HEAD COACH STEVE DONAHUE

44806Dear Dunph,

Thank you. You gave a very inexperienced, young coach who was at best an average Division 3 player the opportunity of a lifetime when you asked me to join your staff at the University of Pennsylvania. Your impact on my career and, quite frankly, my life cannot be overstated. I appreciated how you allowed me to grow as a coach. You never micro-managed. You instilled confidence by allowing me to have an impact on the practices and games. Most head coaches' egos would prevent them from allowing an assistant to have this much to say. It was never about you and always about the team. Most coaches say this, but few live it. You live it. Your ability to lead, teach, and coach was amazing.

What separates you from many others, though, is how you treat everyone that you come in contact with. This is where, for the 10 years that I worked with you, I learned the most. Your humility is genuine. Your selflessness is incredible. You are the most competitive person I have ever met, yet your principles are never compromised. You are a true leader. Everyone who has played for you may not have comprehended this during the four years they played for you-"we can be friends after your four years!"-but I feel strongly that, like me, when those individuals come across a difficult decision or situation in life they ask themselves, "What would Dunph do?" And I'm sure those situations are always handled with class.

Congratulations on your remarkable career and your positive impact on so many lives. And thank you, again, for your impact on my life.

Sincerely,

Steve Donahue
Penn Men's Basketball Coach

SAINT JOSEPH'S HEAD COACH PHIL MARTELLI

44805Dunph,

I am pleased and grateful to Temple University to be able to salute a great friend, Dunph. You have the most extraordinary of talents in that all you touch is better because of your uncanny ability to be present.

My family considers you a treasure. My program and school consider you a fierce competitor. Our profession considers you the ultimate role model and servant to the game.

I consider you to be my "brother." To stand beside you has been an extreme pleasure and unsurpassed honor.

Dunph, may God bless you as He has blessed all of us whom you have impacted.


With Love,

Phil Martelli
Saint Joseph's Men's Basketball Coach
ADDITIONAL LETTERS

Brian Schiff | Bud Tosti | Paul McShane | John DeAngelis | Ira Bowman | Matt Bloom

SchiffI grew up a Philadelphia Big 5 college basketball fan and was aware of Fran Dunphy as a player at La Salle. In 1992 I became an assistant coach at the Abington Friends School and now Coach Dunphy started showing up in our gym as he was interested in one of our players; not the other, but another Michael Jordan. After one meeting he knew my name. Seeing him as this iconic college coach, I quickly realized he was really just another guy, one fortunate enough to get paid to coach basketball. He called me 'Shifty', my nickname in many circles.

In 1999 I began working at Comcast SportsNet and whenever possible had him as guest on the network. No matter what the circumstances or how big the upcoming game he never refused. Anything to help me look good. As my coaching career progressed I saw him at many clinics and went to numerous practices and there's not enough room here to explain all the things I learned from him and still use. But what I admired most was the side most people don't see. Where his outside demeanor is so calm, there is no one I ever witnessed more intense and focused in practice. His charge was to get his players better as players and as people. He was unwavering. That, to me, is his greatest success. He is a true Philadelphia treasure and I am proud to call him a friend and mentor. He is simply the greatest.

Sincerely,
Brian 'Shifty' Schiff
USA/Philly Maccabiah Basketball
Abington Friends Athletics
Dunphy and TostiDear Dunph,
I have read every letter and watched every video more than a few times, hoping my own words could reflect what has already been expressed. So like others, I simply need to write what you mean to me and so many others. The words that your coaching colleagues, former players, and friends have used, and the stories they have told about you as a coach and a man, are priceless.  It is incredible to think they represent only a very small portion of the impact you have had on so many lives in your coaching career.
Our friendship spans almost 50 years since the days at St. Dot's when I was a 4th grader and you were in 8th grade. I looked up to you then. I still do.  You have always remembered where you came from, and while you remain loyal to so many, you have remained loyal still to the many good friends that you grew up with.  You have always had a strong sense of family and community and you brought that anywhere you coached. I can't help thinking how proud your parents Josephine (aka "Honey" ) and Fran Sr. (with the toothpick out of the side of his mouth) are about what has been written about you in this series.
In the years we coached together at Malvern, I was most fortunate to learn from you anything and everything about hoops and life.  As a coach, I learned that you can be tough, demanding, and ask a great deal from players, push them to their limits, and at the same time earn their love, respect, and loyalty. As a young man, I learned even more about life: The importance of consistent hard work, the value of relationships, paying attention to details, and probably your most endearing personable trait: The art of being welcoming to others. You have that welcoming nature about you that others pick up on instinctively and people can readily sense the sincerity in you. Joe Mihalich once said to me: "Dunph is all steak; there ain't no sizzle."  So true.     
Beyond all that you have accomplished as a coach, your true legacy is what you have shown to others as a man: The words to describe you flow easy from all of us that love, respect, and admire you: Loyal, humble, caring, kind, genuine, sincere, selfless, competitive, compassionate, and loving...it's a litany of words and admiration from everyone: From the best coaches in the country, to a former manager, to the person in the food truck.
"That would be Dunph", is a catch phrase I used dozens of times in my life when someone has come to me telling me yet another story about your goodness. It happened again to me just last week with someone telling me about how you made a phone call to your former manager. Just like in the ebb and flow of a game where no moment has ever been too big or small for you, so it  has been true in your life in your caring for others. On the big stage, such as your efforts in Coaches vs. Cancer to the unexpected phone call your former manager gets from you, you have perfected the art of "being there' for others. 
I feel honored to join so many others who can call you "friend." 
I  wish you, Ree and your loving family peace, every joy, and good health in the days ahead.
Your loving friend,
Bud
45015Dear Dunph,

I couldn't let this opportunity go by without publicly thanking you for being such a good friend & mentor for a very long time.  I know that your humility will not allow all these accolades to change you one iota.  We go back to the flat jump shots in St. Dot's gym to avoid hitting the ceiling in 1970.  No wonder we all learned to drive to the basket.  But, that's where it all began.  Why would a college basketball star, getting ready for the tryout of his lifetime ( the U.S. Army Hoop team ), take the time to help a 5'8" high school sophomore learn how to come off a screen for an open jump shot or beat his man to the hoop?  Why, because that's who you were then and still are today.  Too young to appreciate you back then, I started to realize things as I aged.  Forever grateful for hiring me as Freshman coach at Malvern Prep in 1975 & rescuing me from my "friends" at my bachelor party in 1981.  I'm pretty sure my wife Ann of 37 years is still grateful for your heroics that night.  You are always there for anyone who asks of you, be it family, friends or anyone else for that matter.  Others have said it before, but I've never met a person on this earth who takes the time to make perfect strangers feel important more than you do.  It's a trait that I try to imitate as much as possible, and teach to my kids as well.   The number of smiles you have brought to peoples faces for just giving them less than a minute of your time is endless.  We all know about your coaching successes from your start at Malvern Prep thru Penn & now Temple.  Your programs were always completely honest, overly-prepared & played with the respect for the game, the opponents, & the officials that are rare commodities today.  But, my description of you will forever be – Fran is one of the greatest coaches in College Basketball, but a way better person than he is a coach.  I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I will miss watching your teams play, but I wish you all the happiness and peace for many, many years to come. I am truly blessed & honored to be your friend and assure you that the example you set as a person will live through me and my children forever.  Thank you, my friend. God Bless You.
Paul M. McShane
 
44995Dear Dunph,

My life changed dramatically and for the better when I started playing basketball at Malvern Prep as a sophomore, in 1976, under Coach Dunphy. The lessons he taught me and my teammates have impacted me for 43 years. My most lasting memories of playing for and being around Dunph are as follows:
  1. He was the most intense and demanding coach I have ever been around - he did not accept or allow his players to make excuses.
  2. He treated everyone on the team equally and fairly.
  3. He cared about you much more passionately as a person than as a player.
  4. He had a tremendous rapport with other coaches and many, many Philadelphia basketball icons.  
I will attempt to address these memories in order.
  1. I learned very quickly that Coach Dunph wasn't about wins and losses, nor was he a brilliant hoop strategist. At Malvern Prep were not revolutionizing the game of basketball. He simply challenged us every day, in every drill, in every practice, to get better. Often times, he pushed us harder than we wanted to be pushed but that didn't bother him at all. He was overly demanding and did not miss anything we did, right or wrong, on the court. Some of his most blistering post-game commentaries occurred after wins attained only due to a talent discrepancy. The outcome wasn't the issue, the effort was.
  2. It didn't matter if you were the best players on the team, the manager or the mediocre point guard in between, Dunph treated you the same way. I was on teams with 2 great players, Gordy Bryan & Pat Purcell, both of whom played at high level Division 1 programs after Malvern. Danny Flynn was our manager and I was the mediocre point guard. It didn't matter to the coach, as he treated us all in the exact same manner. By the way, the only one who ever got away with giving Dunph any crap was the manager.
  3. He had an incredible capacity to care about and for the people he was coaching. I believe this was a trait that he picked up from his high school coach, Dan Dougherty. I am one of 9 children, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. On many game days, I was very fortunate to have all 8 of my siblings and both of my parents in attendance. By December of my sophomore year, my coach not only knew a lot about my parents but he also took the time to learn every one of my brothers' and sisters' names, plus a bit about their station in life. It mattered greatly to Dunph what our teachers said about us in the classroom and how we interacted with our parents and family members away from basketball. 
  4. Finally, one of the most impressive things to me about Dunph was how many good friends he had who were opposing high school coaches. You could see how highly regarded he was through their exchanges both before and after games. Another lasting impression on me was how gracefully and gratefully my coach interacted with Philadelphia's basketball royalty of a previous generation. When the Markward Basketball Club deservedly honored my talented teammates, Dunph made sure all of the players on our team attended those luncheons. The directors of the Markward Club at that time were Andy Dougherty and Tex Flannery, two great men who knew everyone on the basketball landscape of Philadelphia. The way that Dunph shook hand with these men and the countless other hoop icons in the room was testimony to his respect for them and in turn, their respect for him. My teammates and I were an important part of the fabric of Philadelphia basketball because our coach was Fran Dunphy.   
I graduated from Malvern in '79 with a high school diploma, plus a PhD in basketball and in life thanks to Dunph. For the past 43 years my high school coach has continued to be the second most influential and inspirational man in my life, next to my father. Coach Steve Donohue said it more eloquently than I can so I'll paraphrase his words here; since I was 15 years old, I've been able to use Coach Dunph as a moral compass when dealing with difficult decisions. I am honored and privileged to call him a role model and a friend. He has chosen to make a profound difference in my life and for that I am eternally grateful. Now if he could only chip and putt...
 
John DeAngelis
Malvern Prep Class of 1979
44994Dear Dunph,

When I think of you I think of the word "TREMENDOUS!" - because that's how you always said you felt when I asked how you were doing. Then you would proceed to explain how we all had no choice and should feel that way because we were so fortunate and lucky to be playing and coaching college basketball!  (I find myself doing the same thing now)

The work you do with Coaches vs Cancer is monumental, and it's still just a small portion of the amount of people you help without ever wanting any acknowledgement. I marvel at it all the time.
I'm so appreciative to have been coached by you. I learned so much from you that I can't imagine the man I'd be had I not had that opportunity. I learned an abundance of basketball and ten times that amount about life!

The most important thing I learned is how to be a better person, and how important it is to be selfless and help others. The parents of all the kids you've coached are as fortunate as I and all my teammates are. To have their children under your tutorage and have been given the opportunity to learn how to act, how to compete and how to have humility are things no scholarship can ever cover.

I, like most kids, listened to all the things you said, but more importantly I learned from how you acted and how you treated people.

I wish my son would/could have the privilege to be coached by you. There is NO ONE BETTER!!!!

There is not a more genuine person in any profession-nor a more understanding or compassionate person:

-When I got injured playing professionally
I called you
- When I stopped playing and was transitioning into the corporate world
I called you
-When I decided to get into coaching
I called you
-When my mom got sick
I called you

And you always answered!

Coach Dunph I'm eternally grateful having had you as a coach, I'm propitiously grateful having had you as mentor/father figure, and I'm ecstatically grateful to call you my FRIEND!

You are CLASS personified!

Thank you for being the person you are.

Thank You for the impact you've had on my life   
(and the lives of so many others)

Ira Bowman
PENN
44932Dear Dunph,

You have no idea how many times I've been asked, "Why does everyone love Coach Dunphy?" Everyone who knows you knows the answer, but it's always so hard to put into words. You're a Hall of Fame basketball coach who knows everyone's name in the building. You're a teacher, a mentor, a class act, and a friend. You're just an all-around good, humble guy who enjoys being in the gym. You're also so much more than that.

I was a wide-eyed freshman manager at Penn at one of my first practices in the storied Palestra. A couple seats down was Bill Raftery. The Bill Raftery. You walked over to the iconic announcer and quietly asked, "Bill, have you met Matt Bloom?" At first I thought it had to be a joke, but it's just what you do. All the time. You make everyone feel like the most important person in the room.

I'll never forget my phone ringing on the morning of a Temple-Duke game many years later and seeing "Coach Dunphy" flash across the screen. This had to be a butt dial, but I answered anyway. "Coach Dunphy!" I exclaimed. And in the unassuming Dunph voice we all know and love, you responded, "Just sitting here thinking about Matt Bloom. How are you? How's your family?" And you meant every word of it. You always do. It's never about you or any big game. It's always about the people you've touched over the years.

I can't watch a basketball game without hearing your voice and your wisdom, your humor and your competitive fire. You have the uncanny ability to cuss out a ref and make my grandmother in the front row think you're wonderful. On the same play.

A couple years ago, we were chatting at the airport after a Final Four. A disgruntled "fan" approached you and told you everything that you did wrong in your season-ending loss that year. Player management. X's and O's. Everything. And he wasn't done. He went on to tell you everything that he himself would've done differently. I'll never forget this moment. You looked him in the eyes, smiled, gently patted him on the arm, and said, "You're a better man than me." Then, you exchanged business cards and shook hands. In a business where that interaction would've infuriated anyone else - heck, I was fuming - you genuinely listened to every word. After the gentleman walked away, you turned to me and told me that you loved his passion. Dunph, this is why everyone loves you. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Matt Bloom
Former Penn Basketball Manager 2000-04
Former Director of Basketball Operations at La Salle University
Current Head Coach at Rutgers Prep (NJ)