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Penn State basketball coach Jim Ferry discusses ‘smooth transition’ after huge win vs. Virginia Tech

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

When Jim Ferry took the helm of the Penn State Basketball bench, he had the benefit of having a well established group of assistants who had served outgoing coach Pat Chambers for some, if not all, of his tenure in Happy Valley that started in fall 2011.

But Ferry hadn’t stepped on the floor as a head coach in nearly four years, when he ended his tenure at Duquesne.

Ferry is now charged with navigating the complications of COVID-19, along with transitioning his team to his leadership on the fly.

So far, it’s going pretty well, and just over a month since Chambers’ abrupt resignation last month, Ferry and the Nittany Lions took it to No. 15 Virginia Tech on Tuesday, 75-55.

Andy Katz interviewed Ferry on the Big Ten Network, and the two talked about Chambers, and his influence on himself and the program.

“He gave me that ability to have a major say and be the offensive coordinator. He and I would obviously talk a lot about things. But I think it’s been helpful that … I’ve been able to put up my imprint offensively on the program. Keith Urgo, an assistant coach who’s been here for awhile, he’s the defensive coordinator and he’s certainly put his fingerprints on this program defensively. So it’s been pretty smooth transition-wise. I’m staying in the offensive coordinator role, Keith is staying in the defensive coordinator role and then we work together and game plan.

“I’ve been a head coach for 19 years so when everything happened, it was just turn the switch back on and get in that head coaching role. Make sure the kids are getting what they need and that’s what it’s all been about. I think the transition has been pretty seamless just because we’ve had some continuity both with me and Keith Urgo.”

Penn State travels to Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 13 with a 1:00PM scheduled tip-off.

 

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.