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Former Temple great returns to join Fran Dunphy’s coaching staff

Aaron McKie #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Temple head coach Fran Dunphy has added an assistant to his coaching staff, and the addition is very familiar with the tradition of Temple basketball. Aaron McKie, who played three years at the school under John Chaney, was officially announced as Dunphy’s newest assistant on Thursday. With McKie on board Dave Duke, who was an assistant last season, moves into the role of director of player development.

During his three seasons as a player at Temple, McKie scored 1,650 points and was a member of three NCAA tournament teams. He currently ranks sixth on the school’s all-time scoring list. With McKie’s storied career at Temple, not to mention a lengthy NBA career, his voice will be an important one as the Owls look to rebound from what was the worst season in school history (9-22 record).

“Aaron McKie is not only Temple Basketball, but he is Philadelphia Basketball,” Dunphy said in the release. “His name still resonates in the city, as he played his high school, college and professional ball in Philly. He is a tremendous representative of Temple University and possesses an astute basketball mind which will serve to help the program in so many ways.”

The expectation throughout the spring was that a Temple alum would be joining Dunphy’s staff, with the person in question being Rick Brunson. One reason that was expected to occur was the fact that Brunson’s son Jalen is one of the best players in the Class of 2015, and Temple is one of the finalists on Jalen’s list. However that potential hire fell through, with Rick running into legal trouble in July.

McKie is a good hire, given the experience mentioned above. In addition to Chaney he also played for Larry Brown, with Brown being the head coach of an Allen Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers team that reached the NBA Finals in 2001. During that season McKie was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and he played eight of his 13 professional seasons in Philadelphia.

If McKie can use his experience to help the current Owls develop into better players, the program shouldn’t endure another season like the 2013-14 campaign.

Follow @raphiellej