Temple's Dunphy, ex-Penn coach, forges identity beyond Ivy League

There's a chance that all eyes will be on Fran Dunphy's pregame exchange with Jerome Allen before Temple entertains Penn on Wednesday night at the Liacouras Center.

The attention they will receive is understandable considering the duo brought the glory days back to Penn.

Allen is the coach of Penn, where as a player he stood out under then-Penn coach Dunphy. Dunphy became Penn's winningest coach with 310 victories and 10 Ivy League titles before moving on to Temple in 2006.

But an expected victory by the Owls would also mark Dunphy's fourth consecutive win over the Quakers.

Each victory over Penn, combined with each successful season at Temple, draws him closer to the status of Chuck Daly and Gary Williams.

Daly, who died in 2009, wasn't known nationally for winning four Ivy League titles while coaching at Penn. He was recognized for leading the Detroit Pistons to consecutive NBA titles and the Dream Team to the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Williams is recognized for winning a national title and making 14 NCAA tournament appearances at Maryland. As a result, the Collingswood native's successful coaching tenure at American is just a footnote.

Each victory at Temple ensures that Dunphy will never be labeled as just a successful Ivy League coach.