Temple University head men’s basketball coach Fran Dunphy will remain through the 2018-19 season, and current assistant coach and Temple alumnus Aaron McKie will succeed Dunphy in that role, Temple President Richard M. Englert and Director of Athletics Patrick Kraft announced today.
Dunphy has led the Owls since 2006, winning four conference championships and being named conference Coach of the Year four times during his tenure. He is a teacher on and off the court, having co-taught a business course for 10 years.
“There is no better illustration of excellence and integrity—and there’s no better ambassador for Temple—than Fran Dunphy,” Englert said. “Coach Dunphy’s commitment to developing his players and to promoting academics, both among his student-athletes and our general student body, has rightfully made him one of the most admired men in college basketball.”
McKie, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner, former assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers and an assistant at Temple since 2014, has been promoted to associate head coach. A North Philadelphia native who grew up near Main Campus, McKie has an earned degree in social work from Temple.
Englert added that he and Board of Trustees Chair Patrick J. O’Connor decided on McKie succeeding Dunphy based on Kraft’s recommendation.
“Fran Dunphy is one of the greatest coaches in the history of Philadelphia college basketball and an icon in the world of college hoops,” Kraft said. “The championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and personal accolades are tremendous, but what is more impressive is Fran’s impact on the hundreds of student-athletes he has coached and the universities that have been positively enhanced by his presence. We look forward to a great 2018-19 season and will continue to do all that we can to support Fran and the team.”
Dunphy, who has led Temple to nine postseason appearances, including seven trips to the NCAA Tournament, will be coaching the Owls for his 13th season in 2018-19 while completing a head coaching career that has spanned 30 years.
The all-time winningest coach in Philadelphia Big 5 history with 557 victories, Dunphy compiled a 310-163 record in 17 seasons at the University of Pennsylvania while taking Penn to nine NCAA Tournaments. A 1970 La Salle University graduate, Dunphy is the all-time winningest coach at Penn and ranks third on Temple’s all-time coaching win list with a 247-152 record.
“Coaching and teaching have been my life for a long time, and I have been so blessed and honored to stay home in Philadelphia and coach at three legendary and world-class universities,” Dunphy said. “While the decision to step down after next season is a difficult one, I am excited that Aaron will continue to lead our program in the years ahead. My sincere appreciation to President Englert, the Board of Trustees and Dr. Kraft for their incredible support through the years. We have basketball to play next season, and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
One of the all-time greatest players to ever don the Cherry and White, McKie had an incredible three-year playing career at Temple (1991-92 through 1993-94) and is tied for sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,650 points. A starter for all 92 games, he averaged 17.9 points per game while leading the Owls to three NCAA Tournaments and a trip to the 1993 Elite Eight. He earned many accolades during his heralded collegiate career, including Atlantic 10 Conference and Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year for his performance in the 1992-93 season, when he averaged a team-best 20.6 points per game.
Selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, McKie played 13 seasons, including eight with the Philadelphia 76ers. As a member of the Sixers in 2000-01, McKie enjoyed his best season, taking home Sixth Man of the Year honors while helping his hometown team reach the NBA Finals.
“We are thrilled that Aaron will take the helm after next season, and I am confident that he is the right coach at the right time for Temple,” said Kraft. “Aaron is Philly born and bred. A star at Simon Gratz, an incredible player at Temple under Coach John Chaney, a successful NBA player, a coach with the 76ers and now as a critical part of our basketball program, Aaron is ready to lead his alma mater, and I have no doubt that he will take us to even greater heights.”
McKie has more than a decade of coaching experience. Besides serving as an assistant coach under Dunphy for the past four seasons, he also was a six-year assistant (2007-13) on the 76ers staff and helped lead the franchise to four NBA playoff appearances.
“I am honored and humbled to follow legendary coaches John Chaney and Fran Dunphy in leading the storied Temple program, and I am grateful for President Englert and Dr. Kraft’s belief in me to have success,” McKie said. “There will be plenty of time to talk about the future, but right now, my focus is on supporting Coach Dunphy and our incredible student-athletes as we work hard in the offseason to get ready for the 2018-19 season.”
Temple returns 10 letterwinners, including three starters, from last season’s team that posted a 17-16 record and earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament.
“This is a wonderful transfer of leadership taking place at Temple,” said former Temple coach and Naismith Hall of Famer John Chaney. “Coach Dunphy has done a great job leading the program and is considered one the great coaches in the country. I am proud he is handing over the team to one of our greatest players and one of my favorite sons, Aaron McKie. This will keep in the tradition of great coaches and class people, like Harry Litwack and Fran Dunphy, who have helped Temple become the fifth winningest program in the country.”
