Legend Dunphy deserves proper Philly sendoff
RADNOR, PA. >> Usually the introduction of the visiting team and its coach is simple. The starting five has its names called, the coach is mentioned and that’s it. No fanfare or display on the videoboards that dominate stadiums these days. That pregame hype is reserved for the home squad. This case, though, was different. Temple’s Fran Dunphy was making his last appearance at Villanova as a head coach. He’s retiring at the end of the season and will be replaced by associate head coach and former Temple great Aaron McKie.
Whether the move was voluntary is moot at this point. Villanova coach Jay Wright wanted to make sure the Wildcats gave Dunphy a proper sendoff Wednesday night at the Pavilion, in the same way that St. Joe’s fans did four days earlier at Hagan Arena. Unsolicited, the Hawk faithful gave Dunphy a standing ovation prior to Temple’s 77-70 victory at Hagan Arena.
“That response was pure and simple St. Joe’s,” Hawks coach Phil Martelli said then. “I was so proud. And that wasn’t prompted. (Dunphy) looked down like I had something to do with it. That was a beautiful thing and a tribute to a wonderful man.”
Dunphy, of course, was touched by the gesture.
“That really was very, very nice,” Dunphy said Monday. “I really appreciated it. I wrote a little note to the St. Joe community (Sunday) night. It was very special.”
Villanova’s tribute before its Big 5 showdown with the Owls was genuine, too. The Villanova faithful rose as one and gave Dunphy a standing ovation as the public address announcer went down a few of the items on Dunphy’s list of accomplishments and called him a Big 5 legend, which he is.
Dunphy politely waved to the crowd and even took a semi-bow, though you could tell the man who is known as Mr. Big 5 for attending or working at every Big 5 school except for Saint Joseph’s would rather the spotlight not be on him.
“The dilemma with Dunph is you know him, so you know he doesn’t want a big deal made of this,” Wright said. “But you respect him so much and you know everyone in this building respects him that you want to give everyone here a chance to show that respect … but there haven’t been as many guys who have been as successful, respected and as well-liked as him.”
Dunphy has never been a spotlight seeker. That’s not why he got into the coaching racket 48 years ago and spent the last 30 seasons as a head coach, 17 at Penn and 13 at Temple. For Dunphy, it’s always been about the players. He would prefer the attention be focused on them, not him.
“So many people have been so nice about everything,” Dunphy said. “That’s what comes with where I am with my state in life and I’m very appreciative of it.”
If anyone deserves to be sent off in style, it’s Dunphy, and not just because of the success he has had in his stellar career. His list of accomplishments is extensive. Dunphy has more career wins (564 going into Wednesday) than any coach in Big 5 history. He also ranks third in city series victories with 51; his next win would tie him with John Chaney for second.
Yet it is the way he has carried himself throughout his lengthy career, not the number of games or league championships he’s won, that is worthy of such praise.
If you had to pick one word to describe him, that word would be class.
“I don’t think there’s a guy in college basketball in this country that’s been more successful, classy and respected, with the exception of Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski),” Wright said. “In this final year, he’s handled it in the exact same way. I think this is one of the best teams we’ve played against since Dunph’s been here. Just classy about everything and that’s just been Dunph’s career, and he’s been a great example to all of us in Philadelphia and all of us in college basketball.”
Humble also comes to mind.
“His humility is so genuine,” Wright said. “It’s not even what he says, it’s how he lives and how he treats people and how he coaches. It’s just so genuine. No one questions it and everyone respects it.”
And the receptions Dunphy received over the last four days were pure Philadelphia and pure Big 5. Sure, Philly fans can be tough. We’ve run our fair share of athletes and coaches out of town, some deserving and some not. ESPN and the other major networks can bring up the Santa Claus snowball incident at the Eagles game 50 years ago and beat it to death. Yet we know that does not define us.
When we find someone like Dunphy, who does things the right way, is highly successful and doesn’t gloat about it, we embrace him or her like a member of the family and let them know that they’re appreciated.
And that’s what has taken place over the last four days and will mostly likely continue in other venues this season. But those receptions won’t be the same as the ones Dunphy receives in his hometown.
“It’s very, very nice,” Dunphy said. “I was overwhelmed to be honest with you.”