Micah Shrewsberry Tells Penn State, 'Let's Be One Family'
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After Penn State blew a 19-point second-half lead against Rutgers, coach Micah Shrewsberry apologized to his players, saying he had let them down. And he promised not to let it happen again.
So when his future plans came up at the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, Shrewsberry referred to that Feb. 26 game as his focal point.
"Are you going to be the Penn State coach next season?" Shrewsberry was asked in Des Moines, Iowa, before the Lions' first tournament game in 12 years.
"That's a great question," Shrewsberry said before explaining why he wouldn't answer it just yet. That Rutgers game, which Penn State lost 59-56, was at the heart of his response.
"I told our guys after the Rutgers game that I felt like I let them down as a coach," Shrewsberry said. "I didn't feel like I did my best. So I told them that will never happen again. That's all I'm focused on, is being that person for them, right?
"We've just played four games in four days [at the Big Ten Tournament]. We have had our backs against the wall for three weeks, and now I'm getting ready to coach my first opportunity as a head coach to be in an NCAA Tournament game. I don't have time to focus on anything else but just being the best version for these guys, and that's all I'm focused on. When the off-season comes, then I can focus on other things. But I'm tunnel vision on playing this game for our guys tomorrow."
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Shrewsberry guided 10th-seeded Penn State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, and the second-year coach sought to enjoy it. Recently, former Penn State players and coaches (like Bruce Parkhilll, Jerry Dunn and Pat Chambers) have reached out to congratulate Shrewsberry for the team's success.
He has been texting with wrestling coach Cael Sanderson, whose team won its 10th NCAA team title in 12 years. Football coach James Franklin stopped by the Bryce Jordan Center for the team's sendoff to Des Moines. Women's basketball coach Carolyn Kieger did as well.
"I'm having a blast," Shrewsberry said.
But with success comes speculation. Shrewsberry has been linked to openings at Notre Dame and Georgetown and he'll certainly be mentioned with others, at least until Penn State extends his contract. As a result, when asked again about his future, Shrewsberry deflected once more.
"It's an I don't know question," he said.
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Penn State isn't accustomed to having an in-demand basketball coach, so its response to this situation will be telling. Shrewsberry's will be as well.
He sounds like a coach who wants to sign an extension at Penn State. He likes the place, his fellow coaches and the opportunity to coach in the Big Ten.
"Penn State fit a lot of what I was looking for," he said.
Now, Penn State must reciprocate beyond just the athletic department and administration. A community must get behind basketball as well.
"I feel like really in sync, like our administration, our president, our athletic director, like in sync with that," Shrewsberry said. "But every group that's a Penn Stater needs to be in sync, and when you have a lot of change and a lot of turnover, sometimes you get out of sync a little bit, right?
"Like I can be a Bruce Parkhill guy, I can be an Ed DeChellis guy, I can be a Jerry Dunn guy, I can be a Pat Chambers guy, I can be a Micah Shrewsberry guy. What about being a Penn State guy?"
Point guard Jalen Pickett, Penn State's first All-American since 1955, said Shrewsberry's vision returned the Lions to the national stage. Though those moments can be fleeting, Pickett made a prediction.
"I think Micah is going to do a great job of not just making this a one-time thing," Pickett said. "I feel like he's going to do it a couple times. For me, it's been a joy to play with him."
Penn State played one of its best games of the season in the first round, defeating Texas A&M 76-59, before falling to Texas in the second round.
But even before the ride began, Shrewsberry planned to enjoy it.
"I tell the players all the time, this is your program, not mine. Absolutely not mine," Shrewsberry said. "Let's rally around it in that way. I'm happy that this group gets a chance to fire up all Penn Staters about basketball. I'm happy that this group gets a chance to bring everybody together, because I've talked to players that have played for all of them. They're all so excited about that.
"Let's keep that going. Let's be one family, let's keep rolling in one direction and let's keep going to tournaments every single year."
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
