Dan Leibovitz couldn't be enjoying himself any more.

Waking up for morning practices that sometimes start when it is still dark outside, not receiving many compliments from his head coach and traveling to odd spots like Teaneck, N.J., to recruit high school basketball talent is what fills the Temple men's basketball assistant coach's days.

Leibovitz is in his fifth year as an assistant coach under Temple's John Chaney, who is recognized as one of the best head coaches in the college game.

"It's hard to think of somebody in college basketball that you can learn more from," the Bryn Mawr native said. "All of us come to work everyday with the intent to make him happy.

"All of us put his goals ahead of ours."

Chaney is not the kind of coach to pat his players on the back when they make a good play or thank his coaches when they make a key observation during a crucial point in the game.

So why are the Temple players and coaches so loyal to a coach that seems so cold and unfriendly toward the people closest to him and the Owls program?

"He's not the kind of guy to always pat you on the back, but that's coach Chaney," Leibovitz said. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

Chaney sits on the sidelines with his sleeves rolled up and necktie dangling loosely from an unbuttoned collar. His outfit is indicative of the pessimism that Chaney exudes on the bench.

Patiently watching the game and instructing his players during timeouts is his style, but when Chaney gets off the bench to yell and instruct his players, the Owls pay attention.

Chaney is from the old-school crop of coaches.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Owls got walloped by No. 1 Duke in Philadelphia, Temple's second loss to the Blue Devils this season, but the first time they were embarrassed on the court in a long time.

John Chaney is not the kind of man to be humiliated in his own town.

The Owls didn't get a day off after their loss to Duke.

Sunday morning at 9, Chaney, his coaching staff and the entire Temple squad was back on the practice court, trying to fix problems and make the team better.

"He's always the one that's going to be worried and never pleased," Leibovitz said. "We could be 6-2 and he could see gaps in our defense and problems in our offense."

But Temple is not 6-2 right now.

The Owls have been struggling with a 4-4 record and the most recent loss coming to Philadelphia-rival Villanova this past Tuesday.

Chaney was ready to practice early the next morning.

Ready to get back to the basics and make sure his players know how serious he is about winning and keeping Temple's head above water.

Chaney was told after the Villanova loss that he had to take his NCAA mandatory day off of practice.

Although he gave the team Wednesday off, the current losing streak had to be running through his mind.

That's just the kind of coach he is.

"Coach believes there is no time to fix a mistake except as soon as possible," Leibovitz said. "That's what makes him such a good coach and a great person."