PHILADELPHIA -- Tom Schneider says he never though about returning to the University of Pennsylvania when he left two years ago to become head basketball coach at Lehigh.
But Schneider, who was a Penn assistant for four years, admitted Monday he began to get interested in the job after he heard Craig Littlepage had resigned to become coach at Rutgers.
And it didn't take him long to accept the position after Penn contacted him Saturday morning.
'It's always a great pleasure to return to some place where you have such warm memories,' said Schneider, 39, after he was formally introduced as Littlepage's successor.
He said he welcomed the 'opportunity to have a great chance to help continue one of the great traditions in American collegiate basketball.'
Penn moved quickly to replace Littlepage, contacting Schneider Saturday morning and announcing his appointment Sunday night.
'Our intent on selecting a new head coach was to move quickly and maintain continuity within our basketball program,' said Carolyn Schlie, Penn's acting athletic director. 'Tom is familiar with the university and the Ivy League and I'm sure that he will continue the excellence of the Pennsylvania basketball program.'
Schneider, who said he had signed a multi-year contract, said he is familiar with the Quakers, some of whom he helped recruit, but admitted he will be facing a challenge.
'I feel I'm walking into a situation that's difficult because there are very talented players here and there are expectations for us to do well,' he said. 'I think we will.'
Last season, Schneider coached Lehigh to its first appearance ever in the NCAA tournament.
He said he has been hired soon enough to give him sufficient time to evaulate his team before practice begins.
Junior forward Chris Elzey said members of the basketball team had been consulted about the hiring of Schneider and approved of it.
'Everybody's pleased he's been chosen,' he said. 'He brings to Pennsylvania a flavor of new ideas that he's gotten while coaching Lehigh. I think it's a good situation.'
