Philadelphia has never been short on basketball royalty, and when it comes to coaching legends, Fran Dunphy stands among the city’s elite.
On Thursday night, as La Salle fell 75–70 to St. Joe’s in the A-10 Tournament, it was the closing chapter of one of the most respected coaching careers in college basketball history. Fran Dunphy, the winningest coach in Big 5 history, walked off the sideline for the final time. And like everything else in his 33-year career, it happened in Philadelphia.
From his days as a player on La Salle’s 1968–69 team under Tom Gola to leading three different Philly programs—Penn, Temple, and eventually his alma mater—Dunphy became the only man ever to head multiple Big 5 schools, compiling 623 wins, 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, and the respect of an entire basketball community along the way.
His coaching journey began at Penn in 1989, where he dominated the Ivy League for nearly two decades, winning 10 conference titles and setting a school record for victories. He followed that with a 13-season run at Temple, where his teams made eight NCAA Tournament appearances and toppled powerhouse programs like Duke, Kansas, and Villanova. When the La Salle basketball team came calling in 2022, Dunphy didn’t hesitate. He returned home and gave the Explorers three competitive seasons, capped by an emotional final campaign that included an 81–74 Senior Day win over rival St. Joe’s—his last home game and one of the most thrilling Big 5 showdowns of the year.
Deuce Jones, a freshman revelation, dropped 27 points—the most by an A-10 rookie all season. Corey McKeithan poured in 22, and Mac Etienne added a double-double. The Explorers held off a late Hawks rally, electrifying the newly renovated John Glaser Arena on the same day Governor Josh Shapiro declared it “Fran Dunphy Day” in the state of Pennsylvania.
But beyond the wins and accolades, Dunphy’s true legacy lies in how he led. He had quiet strength, relentless preparation, and genuine care for his players. Whether mentoring future NBA talent or guiding under-the-radar teams to Cinderella runs, he built programs on culture and character.
Now, his role shifts. Dunphy will transition to special assistant to La Salle’s president, maintaining his ties to the university with a lifetime contract. His impact, however, remains firmly etched in hardwood history. From the Ivy League grind to A-10 battles, from recruiting Lionel Simmons to besting blue bloods, Dunphy made a name for himself as a coach that the city will never forget.
