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Philadelphia Inquirer
Chaney apologizes, suspends himself
By Ray Parrillo
Inquirer Staff Writer
Once John Chaney got his famous temper under control and calmed down long enough to consider how his actions had transformed Tuesday night's Temple-St. Joseph's game at the Liacouras Center into an ugly example of college basketball, the 73-year-old Owls coach realized he had to take action.
So he did.
Against himself.
Chaney yesterday issued an apology and imposed a one-game suspension on himself that will take effect Saturday when Temple plays Massachusetts at the Liacouras Center.
"I would like to apologize to St. Joseph's University, its fans, student-athletes and head coach Phil Martelli for my reprehensible behavior during Tuesday night's game," Chaney said in a statement. "I spoke to Coach Martelli [yesterday] to voice my apology to him and his team. Temple University president Dr. David Adamany called to express my apology to St. Joseph's University president Father Timothy Lannon."
Early in the second half of the game won by St. Joe's, 63-56, Chaney followed through on a threat he made on Monday to put a "goon" into the game if the officials refused to penalize the Hawks for what Chaney perceives as the use of illegal screens. He claimed his players could be injured by such moving screens.
St. Joe's led, 37-31, when Chaney was called for a technical foul for complaining to the officials about moving screens. He had to be restrained by assistant coach Dan Leibovitz and some Temple players. Chaney then inserted seldom-used Nehemiah Ingram into the game and the 6-foot-8, 250-pound senior almost incited a brawl, wielding high elbows that connected with the Hawks' Dwayne Jones and Pat Carroll. Ingram's most egregious act was when he knocked John Bryant to the floor after Bryant scored on a layup.
Bryant left the game with an elbow injury and was unable to resume playing. Martelli said last night that X-rays taken yesterday on Bryant's elbow were inconclusive and that the 6-7 senior was scheduled to have an MRI exam. Martelli said Bryant was doubtful for Saturday's game at Rhode Island.
Ingram, who has played only 54 minutes all season and committed 21 fouls, fouled out after playing only four minutes.
After the game, Chaney entered the media room after ranting at Atlantic Ten Conference commissioner Linda Bruno that he wanted no more A-10 officials working Temple games. He showed no remorse when told of Bryant's injury.
"That's what happens. That's what happens," he said. "I'm a mean, ornery SOB, you understand? When I see something wrong, I try to right it." He added that he had put Ingram into the game to retaliate against the Hawks for employing moving screens.
The conference was reviewing the incident and considering sanctions against Chaney when the Hall of Fame coach issued a public apology and announced his self-imposed suspension.
"We're more than satisfied by the action taken by Coach Chaney," Bruno said last night from Cincinnati, where she attended the George Washington-Xavier game. "It's not easy for someone to publicly admit he's wrong."
A contrite Chaney yesterday went to Adamany's office, admitted he had made a mistake, and issued apologies to parties from both universities.
"I regret the terrible stigma that I have put on the Temple University men's basketball team and my student-athletes by my actions during Tuesday night's game with St. Joseph's," Chaney said in a statement. "My student-athletes are in no way responsible for my actions [Tuesday] night. Finally, I would also like to apologize to the Atlantic Ten Conference and in particular commissioner Linda Bruno for my behavior.
"I must be accountable for my actions, and in that respect I have imposed a one-game suspension from coaching my team. I would also like to apologize to the Temple University community, the student body, faculty, staff and alumni of our great institution for my actions. These actions are not indicative of what I represent, and I regret them immensely."
In another statement, Adamany expressed concern for Bryant and chastised fans in the Temple student section for cheering as Bryant lay on the floor in front of them. Adamany said the rows nearest the court will remain empty for Saturday's game as a sign of apology to St. Joseph's and a reminder to Temple students that they should show better sportsmanship.
"We are deeply concerned about the misbehavior of some Temple students in the first rows of the student section at the Liacouras Center toward Mr. Bryant when he was down," Adamany said in the statement. "Temple has a proud tradition in sportsmanship and good behavior in all its intercollegiate athletic programs, and Coach Chaney's actions today remind us of that tradition. When any of us violate those traditions, we must take full responsibility for our words and actions. Coach Chaney's apology and self-suspension set an example."
Martelli refrained from discussing Chaney's tactics, saying that his main concern was Bryant's health and that he regretted the controversy had overshadowed a significant victory for St. Joe's, which became the second team in A-10 history to finish first during the regular season for five consecutive years.
"I'm disappointed that all the uproar overshadowed a very significant achievement by a fine group of young men," Martelli said.
The Hawks' win over Temple raised their conference record to 12-1 with road games remaining against Rhode Island and George Washington, the league favorite, and the regular-season finale at home against Fordham on March 5. St. Joe's has defeated Temple six consecutive times, no doubt a source of frustration for Chaney.
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