New Penn State coach Chambers taps Burroughs as assistant

New Penn State basketball coach Patrick Chambers named Philadelphia native Eugene Burroughs as an assistant coach yesterday.

Chambers, who was named the Nittany Lions coach on Monday, and Burroughs are longtime friends and former teammates.

For the last 7 years, Burroughs served as an assistant at Navy under Billy Lange, who left last month to become an assistant under Villanova head coach Wright.

Both Chambers and Burroughs have ties to Wright.

Chambers served under Wright at 'Nova from 2005-09. Burroughs was an assistant to Wright at Hofstra from 1997-2000.

Chambers and Burroughs also played together under Dan Dougherty at Episcopal Academy.

"I have known coach Burroughs for over 20 years," Chambers said. "He has experience, knowledge and great passion for the game. Being a former player, he will be able to relate to the players and the challenges they will endure on and off the court."

At Navy, Burroughs worked primarily with the guards and developed a reputation as a strong recruiter.

Prior to joining the Midshipmen, he spent four seasons as an assistant under Philadelphia native Dave Magarity at Marist (2000-04), three seasons at Hofstra (1997-2000), and one at American (1996-97).

"I am excited to be a part of the Penn State basketball family," Burroughs said. "Having the opportunity to work with coach Chambers is exciting. His passion and energy is unbelievable. I'm very confident that Penn State will be a consistent contender in the Big Ten under his leadership."

Burroughs played at Richmond under Dick Tarrant. He dished out 105 assists as a senior during the 1993-94 season, which stands 10th on Richmond's single-season assists leaderboard. He left the program ranking sixth all-time in steals (127) and assists (316).

Burroughs was a Daily News first-team All-City selection in 1990. He helped lead Episcopal to Inter-Ac titles in 1989 and '90 and to a share of the title in '88. Chambers and Burroughs played together on the '88 and '89 teams.