Temple University Athletics
John Chaney to Receive 2021 NABC Metropolitan Award presented by Nike
3.25.21 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA - Legendary Temple University men's basketball coach John Chaney, who passed away on Jan. 29, will receive the 2021 NABC's Metropolitan Award presented by Nike for long and outstanding service to men's college basketball.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches will present the storied award, first presented in 1941, posthumously to Chaney's son, John Chaney, Jr., during the virtual NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show on Friday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) The awards show will be live streamed on Stadium.
Chaney is just the second coach from a Philadelphia Big 5 school to receive the award, joining fellow Owls coach and Naismith Hall of Famer Harry Litwack, who was presented with the award in 1983.
"John was one of the most unique personalities college basketball has ever seen, and of course, one of its most decorated coaches as well. His on-court achievements speak for themselves, having won over 700 career games and numerous conference titles," said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. "He also was not afraid to fight for what was right off the court, notably through his public opposition of inequitable academic standards in the late 1980s. John was a staunch advocate for student-athletes, positioning them for success well beyond their college years."
One of the most respected coaches in college sports, Chaney led Temple's men's basketball program for 24 years (1982-2006), compiling a 516-253 won-loss record. He was twice named the national Division I coach of the year, and his 1987–88 team ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country.
Chaney's run at Temple was one of the most successful of any coach in the nation. Twenty-three of his 24 Temple teams played in postseason tournaments, including 17 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Before Chaney's arrival in 1982, the men's basketball program had never participated in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. Under his leadership, the Owls earned five consecutive berths between 1984 and 1988.
The program rode a school-record streak of 12 straight appearances in the March Madness field from 1990 through 2001, including five trips to the Elite Eight (1988, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2001). Only four schools went to as many regional finals in those 16 years.
Prior to arriving at Temple, Chaney coached for 10 years at Cheyney University, where he turned the program into a national Division II power. His teams compiled a 225-59 record, appeared in eight national championship tournaments, and won the NCAA Division II title in 1978.
Chaney began his coaching career at Philadelphia's Sayre Junior High, where his teams won 59 of 68 games. He then moved up to Simon Gratz High and quickly turned a struggling 1-17 club into a perennial winner.
As a player, Chaney earned many honors. At Benjamin Franklin High, he was singled out as the Most Valuable Player in the Philadelphia Public League. At Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla., he was honored as an NAIA All-American and named the Most Valuable Player in the 1953 NAIA Championships.
As a professional player in the Eastern Basketball League, Chaney was named all-pro six times and earned the league's MVP award in 1959 and 1960. He even doubled as a coach for two seasons.
Chaney graduated in 1955 from Bethune-Cookman College. He also received a master's degree from Antioch College.
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The National Association of Basketball Coaches will present the storied award, first presented in 1941, posthumously to Chaney's son, John Chaney, Jr., during the virtual NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show on Friday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) The awards show will be live streamed on Stadium.
Chaney is just the second coach from a Philadelphia Big 5 school to receive the award, joining fellow Owls coach and Naismith Hall of Famer Harry Litwack, who was presented with the award in 1983.
"John was one of the most unique personalities college basketball has ever seen, and of course, one of its most decorated coaches as well. His on-court achievements speak for themselves, having won over 700 career games and numerous conference titles," said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. "He also was not afraid to fight for what was right off the court, notably through his public opposition of inequitable academic standards in the late 1980s. John was a staunch advocate for student-athletes, positioning them for success well beyond their college years."
One of the most respected coaches in college sports, Chaney led Temple's men's basketball program for 24 years (1982-2006), compiling a 516-253 won-loss record. He was twice named the national Division I coach of the year, and his 1987–88 team ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country.
Chaney's run at Temple was one of the most successful of any coach in the nation. Twenty-three of his 24 Temple teams played in postseason tournaments, including 17 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Before Chaney's arrival in 1982, the men's basketball program had never participated in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. Under his leadership, the Owls earned five consecutive berths between 1984 and 1988.
The program rode a school-record streak of 12 straight appearances in the March Madness field from 1990 through 2001, including five trips to the Elite Eight (1988, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2001). Only four schools went to as many regional finals in those 16 years.
Prior to arriving at Temple, Chaney coached for 10 years at Cheyney University, where he turned the program into a national Division II power. His teams compiled a 225-59 record, appeared in eight national championship tournaments, and won the NCAA Division II title in 1978.
Chaney began his coaching career at Philadelphia's Sayre Junior High, where his teams won 59 of 68 games. He then moved up to Simon Gratz High and quickly turned a struggling 1-17 club into a perennial winner.
As a player, Chaney earned many honors. At Benjamin Franklin High, he was singled out as the Most Valuable Player in the Philadelphia Public League. At Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla., he was honored as an NAIA All-American and named the Most Valuable Player in the 1953 NAIA Championships.
As a professional player in the Eastern Basketball League, Chaney was named all-pro six times and earned the league's MVP award in 1959 and 1960. He even doubled as a coach for two seasons.
Chaney graduated in 1955 from Bethune-Cookman College. He also received a master's degree from Antioch College.
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