After 25 seasons as Albright’s head men’s basketball coach, Rick Ferry announced on Monday, March 16 that he will be stepping down from his role. Ferry will remain as the college’s Athletic Director. Longtime assistant coach Matt Chalupa will be the next head coach of the Albright men’s basketball program.
“It has been a true honor to lead Albright Basketball for the last quarter century. To do what you want to do and where you want to do it is an opportunity everyone should have. I have been blessed with so much support from college administration, family, friends, assistant coaches and my wife, Renee. Most important are the hundreds of young men who have played for me all these years. Watching them grow and playing a part in their lives is the real reason I coach.”
A full release on the promotion of Matt Chalupa will be made available on Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. on albrightathletics.com.
“For decades, Coach Ferry has been the heartbeat of our storied men’s basketball program, teaching players that excellence stems from character, discipline and grit,” said Albright President Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D. “While his presence on the sidelines will be missed, his vision as Athletic Director, particularly with the recent expansion of our athletic programs, will have a measurable positive impact for every student-athlete who wears the Lion jersey.”
Ferry took over the men’s basketball program beginning in the 2001-2002 season. Over the next 25 years Ferry never took the position for granted, becoming a positive influence in countless young adult lives.
In his fourth season (04-05) as head coach Ferry led his team to a 21-7 record and a 12-2 record in conference play resulting in a conference championship. The same season saw the Lions win their first NCAA Tournament game since the 1980 season beating Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.) 94-84.
In 25 seasons Ferry compiled a record of 344-288, 17 MAC Commonwealth playoff appearances, four MAC Commonwealth championships and three NCAA tournament appearances while being named MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year four times.
In Albright athletics history, no coach has reached the playoffs more times or been named Coach of the Year than coach Ferry.
38 Lions were named to All-Conference teams over Ferry’s tenure. Seven of which were named Conference Players of the Year while nine players made the D3Hoops All-Region team. From the 03-04 season to the 13-14 season Albright recorded 189 wins to go with two MAC Commonwealth championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
The early goings of the 14-15 season saw Ferry win his 200th career game in the teams 75-62 triumph over Penn State Harrisburg. The next win milestone came in 2023 when Albright beat Stevenson 76-66 for Ferry’s 300th career win.
This past season saw another record go down as the Lions won 12 consecutive games breaking an 80-year-old record.
Additionally, Ferry saw two of his former players enter the Albright Athletics Hall of Fame in the forms of Terron Buchannon ’04 and Trevor Deeter ’06.
Ferry has his fingerprints all over the Albright record books. Countless players have placed their name in the record books in the past 25 seasons. Ferry led eight different players to career program bests including the statistical categories of FG%, 3PT made, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
At Albright Ferry is the second winningest coach of all time and the second longest tenured coach for men’s basketball compiling 344 career wins across 25 seasons.
Ferry will continue in his role as Athletic Director of Albright College, a position he has held since 2008.
