I used to be an avid Temple fan because John Chaney was an inspirational coach. He took players like Aaron McKie and Mardy Collins whom no one else seemed to want, and these players became college stars and NBA players. Coach Chaney was "Temple through and through" because he made the best of it even though resources were lacking, which is how it was for Temple students. He was a role model for the kid who goes to Temple because (s)he doesn't have much but still wants a chance to succeed.
Today the world is different. Temple students are richer and therefore are more like students at many other state schools like Maryland, Rutgers and Penn State. The "rags to riches" model doesn't apply to Temple like it used to, so even if Coach Chaney were still here he wouldn't match the typical Temple student like he used to.
In addition the college game is duller. The good players jump to the NBA after one year of school, so the talent level is diminished. I find myself increasingly interested in the NBA and less interested in college ball. College ball is becoming more or less irrelevant. I suspect that attendance at many schools is decreasing, but I haven't seen any data on that subject. I still attend a few games a year and watch others on TV but I don't care about them as much as I used to. I don't think it's Coach Dunphy's fault. The university and the world are changing these days.
Today the world is different. Temple students are richer and therefore are more like students at many other state schools like Maryland, Rutgers and Penn State. The "rags to riches" model doesn't apply to Temple like it used to, so even if Coach Chaney were still here he wouldn't match the typical Temple student like he used to.
In addition the college game is duller. The good players jump to the NBA after one year of school, so the talent level is diminished. I find myself increasingly interested in the NBA and less interested in college ball. College ball is becoming more or less irrelevant. I suspect that attendance at many schools is decreasing, but I haven't seen any data on that subject. I still attend a few games a year and watch others on TV but I don't care about them as much as I used to. I don't think it's Coach Dunphy's fault. The university and the world are changing these days.
