PHILADELPHIA (AP) – John Chaney barely had time to savor one of his earliest games back in 1972 when an indignant fan abruptly remarked he wasn’t too happy to have the rookie coach around.

“I told him, Well, I’m going to be here for a long time so you better get used to me,”‘ Chaney recalled with a laugh.

Sure enough, Chaney is still raising hell on the sidelines 32 years after his college coaching debut at Division II Cheyney State, in suburban Philadelphia. Chaney eventually moved on to Temple, but not much else has changed for the Hall of Famer.

From threatening opposing coaches to giving a ref an earful in his loud, booming voice to reaching out to another underprivileged kid, Chaney’s remained steady as ever through 999 games.

Chaney still seems restless and cranky, and his nattily attired appearance is usually in shambles after most games. As Chaney approaches his 1,000th career game, he knows his time on Temple’s sideline is nearing an end. But don’t go planning that retirement party just yet.

“I would like to stay as long as I can, as long as my health is good and as long as the kids keep listening to me,” said Chaney, who turns 73 in January.

When Chaney (711-288) coaches Temple against Princeton on Monday, he will become the 19th Division I coach to reach 1,000 games and the fifth active one, joining Lou Henson, Bob Knight, Eddie Sutton, Lute Olson and Mike Krzyzewski.

“I think it’s a number that’s really kind of inconceivable to me,” said Saint Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli, in his 10th season. “Like a lot of things about John Chaney, it’s hard to put your hands around.”

Chaney, whose deep, dark eyes seem fitting for a school whose mascot is the Owl, was amazed he’s lasted so long

“I’ve never given it any thought,” Chaney said. “It surprised me when they told me I accomplished 700 wins.”

Chaney said though the games tend to run together, it’s the people, the experiences and the stories that stand out.

“I can’t remember all of their names, but sooner or later it comes back to me,” he said.

Soon, Chaney is off on another story, this one about cooking eggs for his players at Cheyney State because a flu epidemic had them quarantined. When Chaney tells how the eggs turned a Dr. Suess-like green, he bursts into a fit of uncontrollable cackling.

Chaney dabbled as player-coach toward the end of his career in the Eastern Basketball League, then started full time at Philadelphia’s Sayre Junior High (1963-66) and Simon Gratz High (1966-72).

When Cheyney State came calling in 1972, Chaney was torn. Chaney, though, was convinced he could affect more lives on the college level. Chaney had more concerns when he considered the Temple vacancy in 1982.

“I was very apprehensive,” he said. “I was happy with where I was. I always believed that success comes when you’re very happy with what you do.”

Chaney had little to worry about – he went 225-59 and won the NCAA D-II title in 1978 in 10 seasons with the Wolves.

Chaney’s experienced so much success that he has quite a list of prolific games to choose from for his most memorable.

His first game was a 68-58 loss to East Stroudsburg. His first win came the next game on Dec. 5, 1972, 82-67 against Monmouth. Chaney’s favorite was Cheyney’s 47-40 win over Wisconsin-Green Bay in the 1978 Division II title game.

“Without question the national championship game at Cheyney in 78 stands out the most,” he said. “And my first time here getting into the NCAAs stands out. How exciting it was for all the students.”

After a losing record his first season at Temple, Chaney took the Owls to the NCAA tournament 17 times in 18 years. Before his arrival, the Owls had never played in consecutive tournaments. The Owls have slipped the last three seasons, making the NIT. This year’s team is 3-5 and game No. 999 was a three-point loss against No. 6 Wake Forest. Though Temple still has non-conference games with Top 25 teams Maryland and Duke, Chaney believed the Owls can return to the tournament.

“If we continue to play like the way we have been playing against the top teams, if we get there, my team will be ready,” he said.

No surprise there. After all, Chaney considers himself a teacher first, educating his players on everything from the matchup zone to a history lesson on the greats of the game – all usually done in those famous 5:30 a.m. practices.

The ones who are willing to put up with the no-frills approach and a raspy trail of four-letter words have usually been rewarded. Chaney has led the Owls 21 straight postseason appearances, including five appearances in the regional finals (1988, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2001).

Still, a Final Four berth remains the one void in his career.

“You only have to have lightning one time and I would like lightning one time,” he said.

During practice, Chaney still takes the court, shouting tips and showing reminders of what made him the 1951 Philadelphia Public League player of the year.

“He’s out there showing us how to make slides, how to protect the ball, how to guard him,” guard Mardy Collins said. “He’ll be dribbling and he’ll tell someone to take the ball and usually he throws an elbow or something like that.”

Chaney – who once threatened to kill then-Massachusetts coach John Calipari during an infamous confrontation – hasn’t mellowed with age. During timeouts, he normally sits – make that squirm, swivel, point and shout – on a chair in the middle of the huddle. Pity the poor refs who must live with 40 minutes of hollering and foot-stomping after every tight play.

Chaney’s filled with the same nervousness and superstitions before games as when he played. On a recent drive to practice, he threw his car in reverse and took another street after nearing a black cat. He’ll never wear a designer tie again after a loss.

His winning ties, mostly gray, are neatly folded in a drawer behind his office desk. Before every game, he’ll reach in and grab one for luck. So far, he’s picked a winner more often than not.

Chaney hears the grumbling gaining steam that he’s too old to coach because the Owls have missed the tournament lately. But Chaney feels he still has something positive to offer.

And when he stops coaching?

“I need to find a way to play golf,” he said. “I don’t play golf. Maybe I’ll learn how to play golf.”

Until then, it’s more early-morning practices and more afternoon bull sessions. Who knows? Maybe that Final Four is still within reach. For Chaney, the last 999 games don’t matter – the next one is only one that counts.

“I always look forward to the next moment, the next game, the next time you go out,” Chaney said. “As long as you’re involved in sports, you must always have a vision. It should be something in front of you, not something that is behind.”

AP-ES-12-17-04 1703EST