Florida Gulf Coast Introduces Pat Chambers As Its Fifth Head Coach in Program History

Florida Gulf Coast University introduced former Penn State men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers as its fifth head coach in program history on Tuesday morning.

“The last 18 months I’ve been continuing to grow and educate and self-reflect,” Chambers said during his introductory press conference. “I’m confident that you, my next team, my players, my future players, you’ll be getting the best leader, best teacher and best coach because I’ve learned a lot from my past. I promise you that. I’m confident in that.”

Chambers resigned from his position at Penn State in October of 2020 following an internal investigation of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Chambers. The only publicly known allegation was that Chambers told former Nittany Lion guard Rasir Bolton that “I want to loosen the noose that’s around your neck.”

Chambers went 148-150 in nine seasons at Penn State, his last Nittany Lion squad was briefly ranked in the Top 10 and was poised for an NCAA Tournament appearance prior to the cancellation of that tournament due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following his time at Penn State, Chambers spent time in Florida where he has extended family and ultimately ended up at LaSalle University back in Pennsylvania as an assistant for one year under coach Ashley Howard.

“Have to thank La Salle,” Chambers added. “Brian Baptiste, I hope you’re watching. Appreciate you. Ashley Howard, appreciate you. The staff and the players at La Salle, just grateful for you guys. So grateful. You welcomed me with open arms, and I’ll never forget that.”

Florida Gulf Coast is more popularly known for its 2012-13 NCAA Tournament run that saw the Eagles make a run to the Sweet 16, beating Georgetown and San Diego State before falling to Florida 62-50 in the third round. Florida Gulf Coast was particularly memorable that season for in-game dunks and flashy plays.

As for Chambers, he returns to the head coaching ranks looking for a new start in the profession,

“Gratitude, in the last 18 months, it’s a word that just captured my soul,” Chambers said. “It’s captured my heart. I wake up every day, I’m grateful for my wife and my children, my health. … And I will not take this position for granted, either.”

Interestingly enough, Chambers’ eventual replacement Micah Shrewsberry was hired by Penn State a year ago today.