Penn State Signs Extension With Patrick Chambers Through 2018-2019 Season

According to a release from the school, Penn State has signed an extension with head coach Patrick Chambers through the 2018-19 season.  The news comes as the Nittany Lions recently wrapped up their season with a loss to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament.

Chambers became the Penn State head coach in 2012 and has completed four seasons with the Nittany Lions.  Penn State has made no NCAA Tournament or NIT appearances under Chambers.  They went to the CBI Quaterfinal during the 2013-14 season.

The move is definitely one with its spotlight on recruiting as prospects can be assured that Chambers will be sitting courtside for years to come.  It is also notable as there has been some media speculation on the future of Chambers with Penn State during the last few seasons.

Here is the release from Penn State:

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Patrick Chambers, head coach of the Penn State men's basketball team, has received a two-year contract extension, Sandy Barbour, Director of Athletics, announced Thursday. The extension will keep him at the helm of the Nittany Lions through at least the 2018-19 season.

"I am grateful for the commitment and enthusiasm for the men's basketball program Eric Barron, Sandy Barbour and the Penn State administration have shown," Chambers said. "We are proud of what we have accomplished, but know there is so much more ahead. I think our staff and players have laid a foundation to build upon for years to come."

The 2014-15 campaign ended with three wins in the final four games, giving the Nittany Lions an 18-16 overall record and the most wins since 2011, a total that has been topped just twice in the last decade. Penn State knocked off No. 5 seed Iowa and Nebraska before falling in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals to fourth-seeded Purdue.

"I support what Patrick is doing and I support his long-term leadership of this program," Barbour said. "I love the heart with which his team represents the university, Nittany Nation and the community, both on the court with measureable success and improvements and off with a 100 percent graduation rate and active participation in countless community activities. With a core group of returning players and the highest-rated recruiting class in school history coming next fall, the future is certainly promising. I believe with the right support and resources, Patrick can take this program to a level of success which everyone can get behind."

Penn State started the season 12-1, posting the most non-conference wins in program history by breaking the previous high of 11 set during the 2008-09 season. Then-No. 4 Wisconsin snapped the Nittany Lions' 10-game winning streak in the league opener Dec. 31, which was the longest for a PSU team since the 1995-96 squad opened the year going 13-0.

The Nittany Lions are expected to lose four letterwinners from the 2014-15 roster, including No. 4 all-time leading scorer D.J. Newbill and third-leading rebounder Ross Travis. The highest-rated recruiting class in PSU history will come on board in 2015-16, however, joining eight returning letterwinners led by Brandon Taylor, Jordan Dickerson, Geno Thorpe and Shep Garner. Garner and Thorpe were the second and third leading scorers down the stretch this season, while Taylor, Dickerson and Donovon Jack all moved into the Top 10 in career blocks while upping the team's defensive presence.

Next season should be a key one for Chambers and the program as start player DJ Newbill will graduate from the program and the Nittany Lions will be forced to look for a replacement.