Penn State AD Sandy Barbour comments on resignation of men's basketball coach Pat Chambers

Many in the college basketball world were surprised when Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Pat Chambers announced his resignation at about 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Around an hour-and-a-half later, Penn State’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Sandy Barbour, held a press conference to address the situation.

Penn State on BTN shared the video on Twitter:

"As difficult as this news may be, we think it's in the best interest of Penn State, our program and our student-athletes."

Watch Sandy Barbour's full opening statement below. pic.twitter.com/ySDL15Am8K

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) October 21, 2020

Chambers, who presided over the Nittany Lions for nine seasons, was investigated by the university after allegedly referencing a “noose” when speaking with then-freshman combo guard Rasir Bolton in January 2019. Bolton left the program at the conclusion of that season and has since joined Steve Prohm’s Iowa State Cyclones.

Audrey Snyder, who serves as a Penn State football beat writer for The Athletic, added alleged recruiting improprieties did not play a role in the coach stepping down.

Sandy Barbour when asked if recruiting irregularities were part of the decision: "We're not going to get into the details of this but NCAA matters were not part of this."

PSU's players were told at 4:30 p.m. today by Chambers about his resignation, she said.

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 21, 2020

Chambers came to State College after two seasons with the Boston University Terriers. Posting a 148-150 (56-110 B1G) record, the program never made the NCAA Tournament with him at the helm, but likely would have in 2019-20, had the event not been canceled by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Jim Ferry, who served as the head coach of the Duquesne Dukes from 2012-17 and joined Chambers’ staff later that year, has been tabbed as the interim coach for the 2020-21 season.