Temple Adds to Chaney’s Suspension

Temple basketball Coach John Chaney was suspended for the rest of the regular season by the university for ordering rough play by one of his players, who proceeded to foul out in four minutes against St. Joseph’s and broke an opponent’s arm.

Temple President David Adamany announced the suspension Friday in a statement in which he said the decision was made “in light of the severity of the injury” to St. Joseph’s 6-foot-7 senior John Bryant. “Coach Chaney has again expressed his deepest regrets for his actions,” Adamany added.

Chaney, a Hall of Fame coach, had suspended himself for one game Wednesday and apologized for his actions. He will miss Temple’s home game today against Massachusetts and its last two regular-season games against Rhode Island and La Salle, before returning for the Atlantic 10 tournament. Temple, 13-11 overall, 9-4 in the conference, is second in the East Division of the Atlantic 10.

“I think my behavior is reprehensible and, as I’ve said 1,000 times, I take responsibility,” Chaney, 73, said in a phone interview. “If it’s the judgment of the school to suspend me, I can accept the responsibility of my actions.”

Chaney said he hasn’t decided how the suspension would affect his decision whether to return for another season. “I’ve had a reputation for many years, I’ve done many things wrong and made a lot of mistakes,” Chaney said. “My name is a lightning rod. Right now, I’ll just take inventory of myself.”

The situation began when Chaney, angered by what he thought were illegal screens by St. Joseph’s, inserted seldom-used, 6-8, 250-pound Nehemiah Ingram against the Hawks on Tuesday to “send a message.” Chaney said he called Bryant on Friday morning to apologize. Chaney also offered to pay for any of Bryant’s medical bills.

“I feel very contrite about John Bryant,” said Chaney, who is 721-294 in his 33-year career.