Penn State Basketball: Battle Set to Join Northwestern as Assistant

Former Penn State men’s basketball star and assistant coach Talor Battle will be joining the Northwestern program as an assistant coach, the Wildcats announced on Monday.

Battle, a former guard under then head coach Ed DeChellis, joined Penn State last season as an assistant under now former head coach Pat Chambers, ultimately working under interim head coach Jim Ferry following Chambers’ departure. Battle was then retained this offseason by new head coach Micah Shrewsberry in the role of assistant to the head coach.

Battle will now be on staff at Northwestern under coach Chris Collins with an opportunity to coach his half brother Boo Buie who currently plays for the Wildcats. Buie scored 18 points in Northwestern’s 81-78 loss to the Nittany Lions last season at the Bryce Jordan Center. It was the only meeting between the two teams last year. For his part, Battle once scored 26 points against the Wildcats and helped guide the Nittany Lions to an NIT Title and NCAA Tournament appearance during his career.

“We’re excited to welcome Talor to the program,” Collins said. “His track record as an elite player in (the Big Ten) makes him an incredible mentor for our players, and an obviously compelling recruiter. He has a great knowledge of the game and an undeniable passion for coaching that will be great additions to the staff.”

“My wife Gretchen, our daughters and I are excited for the opportunity to join the Northwestern basketball program,” Battle said in a statement. “With this role brings a new atmosphere, culture and family that I’m already proud to be a part of. I am fired up about the vision and direction Coach Collins has for this program. I look forward to learning from Coach Collins and accomplishing special things here in Evanston.”

It’s unclear if Penn State will fill the vacancy Battle leaves behind.