John Chaney will return to coach Temple for another season, ending speculation about the Hall of Famer's future after a tumultuous conclusion to the season.
The 73-year-old Chaney was suspended for five games last month for ordering rough play by one of his players, who broke an opponent's arm.
"This is just a reaffirmation of an agreement between Temple and John Chaney," athletic director Bill Bradshaw told AP in a phone interview Monday night. "There really wasn't anything different about this at all. There wasn't an earthshaking event or meeting."
Chaney has a 724-297 career record. Among active coaches, only Bob Knight, Eddie Sutton and Lute Olson have more victories.
Bradshaw said the university and Chaney would meet next fall to decide if Chaney wants to return for the 2006-2007 season.
"Today was more important as a response to the media and the many questions more than it was about any internal evaluation," Bradshaw said. "I would say it's the status quo."
Angered by what he thought were illegal screens by Saint Joseph's, Chaney inserted seldom-used, 2.03m, 112.5kg Nehemiah Ingram against the Hawks on a Feb. 22 game to "send a message." Ingram fouled Hawks senior John Bryant hard. Bryant slammed to the floor and broke his arm.
Chaney apologized and returned to coach the Owls in the NIT tournament.
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported the school's decision to stick with Chaney on the newspaper's Web site Monday night.
Chaney declined to discuss his return for a 24th season.
"I'm not interested in talking to the media," Chaney said. "I have no comment."
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