The United State's Naval Academy just released a statement on the hiring of former Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis. They sound pretty happy with the hiring.
"To have one of the most highly respected coaches and educators in the sport join our Navy family is a great day for the program and the Academy," said Gladchuk. "Ed's maturity, integrity, character and accomplishments at Penn State have made him one of the most respected role models in the coaching ranks. His career is all about building programs with educational priorities in place, including graduating every senior that has ever played for him, and in the end achieving team goals that resonate with competing for championships. Ed will make a positive and impactful impression on Navy Basketball in short order."
"I'm thrilled and honored to be the next head basketball coach at the United States Naval Academy," said DeChellis. "My wife and girls are excited to be a part of the Navy family and this is the perfect opportunity for me because I believe in the core values of the Academy. We fell in love with Annapolis and the Academy when we came and visited and we look forward to being part of a place so steeped in tradition. I look forward to the challenge of not only winning the Patriot League Championship and taking Navy back to the NCAA Tournament, but also helping young men become future leaders of this great nation of ours. I look forward to meeting the players and talking to the recruits and starting the process of getting Navy Basketball back on the national stage."
Navy was 11-20 overall last season and was 6-8 in the Patriot League. It'll be a tall task for DeChellis to bump the Midshipmen up to respectability, but if you can make Penn State respectable, you can make anyone respectable, right?