Dunphy plans to leave Penn

Announcement set for 10 a.m. Fran Dunphy will resign as Penn basketball coach and accept the same position with La Salle, he confirmed last night. Dunphy, who coached Penn for five seasons and led the Quakers to an NCAA Tournament victory for the first time in 14 years, replaces Explorer coach Speedy Morris, who will announce his retirement and welcome Dunphy at the press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Hayman Hall on La Salle's campus. "I'm sorry to leave La Salle, but we've been eyeing Fran Dunphy as our coach of the future for a long time," Morris said. "We didn't want to lose Dunph to another program. It's time for me to pass the torch and Fran is the perfect coach for the job." Morris said he will still be actively involved in the Explorer basketball program and pledged to assist Dunphy in any possible way he could. Dunphy, who was named Kodak District Three Coach of the Year earlier this week, graduated from La Salle in 1970 with a degree in marketing. He served as an assistant to Speedy Morris for three seasons before moving to Navy and then the Quakers. Sources said Dunphy will sign an eight-year contract worth an estimated $5 million. With incentives the deal could be worth as much as $7 million. Dunphy leaves Penn with a record of 84-49. "It was a tough decision to leave Penn," Dunphy said by telephone last night. "I owe a lot to the University, and to leave this program at this time is an incredibly difficult decision." Reaction on the Penn campus was almost unanimously disbelief. "Frankly it hurts," Penn junior guard Jerome Allen said. "When coach Dunphy called us together and told us [last night], we were all very emotional. We thought he would be with us for another year until our class graduates. "We realize, though, that it's an incredible opportunity to coach at your alma mater, and we'd never give Dunph anything but encouragement and good wishes. He's the best. We're not bitter." Sources said Dunphy will be replaced by assistant coach Fran O'Hanlon, who had been rumored to be headed to Boston University as its head coach. O'Hanlon was unavailable for comment. Sources close to the Penn athletic department said Drexel coach Bill Herrion also has expressed serious interest in the Penn position. "[Herrion] would make an interesting choice, but I'm not prepared at this time to discuss any candidates," outgoing Athletic Director Paul Rubincam said. New Athletic Director Steve Bilsky, who will assume his full duties July 1, said he was sorry to see Dunphy go, but the Penn basketball program will overcome his departure and maintain its level of excellence. "I've come to have a great deal a respect for Fran [Dunphy] and I'm sure this is what is best for him," he said. "It was not entirely unexpected, and we'll have a replacement shortly who is familiar with Penn basketball." Bilsky refused to confirm O'Hanlon will get the nod as Penn head coach. The Ivy League coaches contacted last night were surprised by the news, and expressed best wishes to Dunphy. "He's going to be one of the great ones," Princeton coach Pete Carril said. "His kids are always prepared and motivated. Every time you match wits with Fran, it's like a chess match -- he always has a new wrinkle up his sleeve." Dunphy will still get to match wits with Carril when the Explorers and Tigers meet at the Civic Center December 12. "If there is ever a coach who deserves a top-flight Division I position, it is Fran Dunphy," Harvard coach Frank Sullivan said. "He's a master technician and a master motivator." Said Dartmouth coach Dave Faucher, "Fran Dunphy has reestablished Ivy League basketball's prominence on a national scope, and for that we will be eternally grateful. Anyone who knows him loves him. This is definitely a blow for Penn and the Ivy League. He'll be a great coach wherever he goes." As a player, Dunphy played under La Salle coach Tom Gola. He helped the Explorers to a 23-1 record in 1968-69. Dunphy co-captained the La Salle squad his senior year, averaging 18.6 points. Dunphy lives in Villanova with his wife, Ree, and their seven-year-old son, John Patrick. "He's a rare breed," said Episcopal coach Dan Dougherty, who coached Dunphy in high school in addition to Quaker stars Jerome Allen and Eric Moore. "Dunph was always quiet, always listening. "He'll be one of the most prominent coaches in the nation, and certainly a fan favorite in Philadelphia -- like Rollie Massimino once was. He's not flashy, but he's a winner. People like Fran Dunphy make me proud to be a coach myself."