Chaney steps down at Temple

PHILADELPHIA -- John Chaney retired Monday after 24 seasons as Temple's basketball coach, ending a Hall of Fame career in which his temper sometimes got the better of him.

The 74-year-old Chaney, a fiery sideline presence admired as much for his mentoring as his success on the court, guided Temple to five NCAA regional finals and 17 NCAA tournament appearances and was twice the national coach of the year.

This season, Temple (17-14) made the NIT for the fifth straight season, a dramatic decline from when it was an NCAA tournament regular.

"I have said all along that I would know when it would be time to step down and now is that time," Chaney said in a statement. "I want to thank Temple University, its fans and community for allowing me to do what I love for so long. It has never been a job for me, but a passion."

Chaney has 741 wins as a college coach, including a 516-252 record at Temple in which he won six Atlantic 10 conference titles. He was twice the national coach of the year and was selected Atlantic 10 coach of the year five times.