Ed DeChellis resigned as Penn State basketball coach Monday to take the same position at the Naval Academy, the school announced.
The unexpected move came after DeChellis led Penn State to the NCAA tournament in March, the school’s first appearance in 10 years. DeChellis is deeply connected to the State College, Pa., school. He graduated from Penn State in 1982, spent 10 years as an assistant and the last eight years as head coach.
At Navy, DeChellis replaces Billy Lange, who resigned last month to become associate head coach at Villanova.
“[DeChellis’] career is all about building programs,” Navy athletics director Chet Gladchuk said in a statement. “Ed will make a positive and impactful impression on Navy basketball in short order.”
Compounding the oddity of leaving the Big Ten for the Patriot League, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reported DeChellis will take a salary cut from $650,000 to $450,000 at Navy. The paper also said DeChellis risked not having his contract renewed when it expired in 2014 or being fired after next season.
The 52-year-old DeChellis compiled a 222-232 record at Penn State. That included going 19-15 last season, including 9-9 in the Big Ten, to earn an NCAA tournament berth. DeChellis also won the National Invitation Tournament in 2009.
“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,” DeChellis said in a statement.
• Nathan Fenno can be reached at nfenno@washingtontimes.com.
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