Fran Dunphy
On the 19th day of 2019, we found ourselves watching the Penn/Temple Basketball game on TV. Yes, on 1/19/19, we would have rather been at the game (heck, the game should have been in the Palestra and we really would have been upset to be missing it!), but a lot was going on on this cold and wet January day. So, we watched as Penn beat Temple in Fran Dunphy's last Big-5 Game. The irony was not lost on me. And, although I was happy to see that Penn will likely have its first Big-5 Title in 17 years, I was a little maudlin that Fran's last Big-5 game was not a win for him. Thinking about how lucky and grateful we all are to have Fran Dunphy in our lives. What a coach, what a mentor, what a person. A gem. I will be rooting for Temple as much as I am rooting for Penn for the rest of the season!
To see what Fran has meant to Penn and to Penn Basketball, please click on the link below to hear his players talk about his influence. And, look at what the current Penn Coach (Donahue) has to say abot Fran Dunphy, for whom he used to be an assistant.
#Dear Dunph
Thank you. You gave a very inexperienced, young coach who was at best an average Division 3 player the opportunity of a lifetime when you asked me to join your staff at the University of Pennsylvania. Your impact on my career and, quite frankly, my life cannot be overstated. I appreciated how you allowed me to grow as a coach. You never micro-managed. You instilled confidence by allowing me to have an impact on the practices and games. Most head coaches’ egos would prevent them from allowing an assistant to have this much to say. It was never about you and always about the team. Most coaches say this, but few live it. You live it. Your ability to lead, teach, and coach was amazing.
What separates you from many others, though, is how you treat everyone that you come in contact with. This is where, for the 10 years that I worked with you, I learned the most. Your humility is genuine. Your selflessness is incredible. You are the most competitive person I have ever met, yet your principles are never compromised. You are a true leader. Everyone who has played for you may not have comprehended this during the four years they played for you—“we can be friends after your four years!“—but I feel strongly that, like me, when those individuals come across a difficult decision or situation in life they ask themselves, “What would Dunph do?” And I’m sure those situations are always handled with class.
Congratulations on your remarkable career and your positive impact on so many lives. And thank you, again, for your impact on my life.
Sincerely,
Steve Donahue
Penn Men’s Basketball Coach
https://twitter.com/pennathletics/status/1086730269032398849
To see what Fran has meant to Penn and to Penn Basketball, please click on the link below to hear his players talk about his influence. And, look at what the current Penn Coach (Donahue) has to say abot Fran Dunphy, for whom he used to be an assistant.
#Dear Dunph
Thank you. You gave a very inexperienced, young coach who was at best an average Division 3 player the opportunity of a lifetime when you asked me to join your staff at the University of Pennsylvania. Your impact on my career and, quite frankly, my life cannot be overstated. I appreciated how you allowed me to grow as a coach. You never micro-managed. You instilled confidence by allowing me to have an impact on the practices and games. Most head coaches’ egos would prevent them from allowing an assistant to have this much to say. It was never about you and always about the team. Most coaches say this, but few live it. You live it. Your ability to lead, teach, and coach was amazing.
What separates you from many others, though, is how you treat everyone that you come in contact with. This is where, for the 10 years that I worked with you, I learned the most. Your humility is genuine. Your selflessness is incredible. You are the most competitive person I have ever met, yet your principles are never compromised. You are a true leader. Everyone who has played for you may not have comprehended this during the four years they played for you—“we can be friends after your four years!“—but I feel strongly that, like me, when those individuals come across a difficult decision or situation in life they ask themselves, “What would Dunph do?” And I’m sure those situations are always handled with class.
Congratulations on your remarkable career and your positive impact on so many lives. And thank you, again, for your impact on my life.
Sincerely,
Steve Donahue
Penn Men’s Basketball Coach
https://twitter.com/pennathletics/status/1086730269032398849
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