Penn president Larry Jameson welcomes coach Fran McCaffery at his first press conference on April 7.
Credit: Lydia TongThere’s no place like home.
On Monday, 1982 Wharton graduate Fran McCaffery was officially introduced as the new head coach of Penn men’s basketball in a press conference at the Palestra. After being announced as the program’s new leader on March 27, Monday marked a homecoming for McCaffery, who returns to coach the Red and Blue after playing at Penn from 1979-82.
“I could not be — and I think you can see it — more excited, more proud, more emotional to be standing right here today,” McCaffery, who was visibly choked up at times during the press conference, said. “The Cathedral of College Basketball — there could be no prouder moment.”
The event also featured remarks from 1996 College graduate and Athletic Director Alanna Wren — who emphasized McCaffery’s “impressive” resume and his commitment to forming relationships with his players — as well as Director of Athletic Communications Mike Mahoney, who called McCaffery’s introduction “another historic day” at the Palestra.
Penn President Larry Jameson also attended the press conference, appearing shortly after Mahoney, Wren, and McCaffery finished their respective opening remarks. Jameson had lofty praise for the high-powered acquisition.
“He’s got a long track record of winning, a huge amount of experience,” Jameson said of the hiring. “We’ve got this fantastic group of student-athletes who are in the room today. And the coaches serve many different roles. They are certainly here to lead in basketball, but they are also life coaches; they help on the academic side, and with his experience, I think we couldn’t have done better.”
Other attendees included former Penn men’s basketball head coach Bob Weinhauer — who coached McCaffery during his time at Penn — and former head coach Fran Dunphy, who holds the most wins in Penn men’s basketball history. McCaffery was also joined by his family, including his wife Margaret; his brother Jack; his sons Connor, Patrick, and Jack; and his daughter Marit.
“I hope that coach will put together a group of players that the student body will be proud of,” Weinhauer said. “I called Alanna [Wren], and I spoke to her … but that’s because I believe in Fran and I believe in what he will bring to the program.”
McCaffery touched on a range of subjects in his first appearance as Penn’s head coach. A Philadelphia native, he reminisced on his days as both a fan and player in the Palestra, specifically the Quakers’ run to the Final Four during his first year playing at Penn. He also emphasized the importance of “brotherhood” to the team’s current players, adding that the bond he shared with his teammates was one of the most memorable aspects of his time at Penn.
“Some of my teammates are here, and it’s such an incredible feeling for me to have them here,” McCaffery said. “Because the experience that I want these guys [the current players] to have right here is: You are teammates for life. You are brothers for life. And that’s what this experience is, and that’s what it will be … when you play for me.”
Among the Quakers in attendance was sophomore guard Sam Brown, who is currently in the transfer portal but has not ruled out a return to Penn. McCaffery acknowledged the changing circumstances at hand in college basketball, particularly the Ivy League’s policies against merit-based scholarships and revenue sharing, but endorsed the commitment of the current team and its desire to contend at the national level.
“I think we know that we have some challenges with regard to being a need-based institution in a world where guys are getting paid,” McCaffery said. “There’s still an interest. We have an incredible group of young men.”
“They recognize the value of what we offer, and that’s what we’re going to be selling,” he added. “Yeah, OK, we didn’t opt into the [House v. NCAA] settlement. We get that. But that doesn’t mean we’re gonna stop competing. That doesn’t mean we don’t expect to play and do everything we can to beat those teams. That’s what these guys want to do.”
McCaffery took time to reiterate to reporters that building relationships with his players and searching for missing pieces on the roster will be one of his staff’s main focuses heading into the coming months.
“The only way the players are gonna want to stay is if they are treated with respect,” McCaffery said. “If they’re coached the right way, and they feel like they are getting better, and they’re enjoying the journey. That’s what we’re going to do; after four years, they would want to do it all over again.”
“First thing would be to develop relationships with my players and the recruits that we will sign, and add a couple guys out of the portal to fill needs, hire a staff,” he said.
Tristan Spurlock, McCaffery’s incoming lead assistant coach who followed him from Iowa to Penn, also expressed excitement for the current roster as well as at the prospect of new additions.
“We’re excited for all the guys to be here,” Spurlock said. “I had a great conversation with [senior guard/forward] Ethan [Roberts]. I’ve had great conversations with a lot of the guys over text. … We’re already getting to work. We’ve got some things already lined up, visits already scheduled. It’s time to get to it.”
McCaffery and his staff will have adjustments to make as they aim to develop the Quakers into an Ivy League contender. But in some ways, returning to the place where it all began for the legendary coach will be just like old times.
At the end of the press conference, McCaffery was asked if he would consider restoring the team’s tradition of hosting a pregame meal at Smokey Joe’s, Penn’s on-campus bar and a frequent weekend destination for students. A photo of McCaffery from his playing days is one of many athlete photos that adorn the walls.
“That would be my first choice,” McCaffery said with a smile. “I don’t know if our nutritionist would agree, or our strength coach. But it’s worth a conversation.”
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