Smiles filled the Bryce Jordan Center's Founders Lounge yesterday as Ed DeChellis was announced as the man to save the Penn State men's basketball program from life support.

The program's boosters in attendance were all smiles, Penn State President Graham Spanier beamed, Athletic Director Tim Curley grinned from ear to ear, football coach Joe Paterno looked like he had never heard of Anwar Phillips as he greeted the DeChellis family and, of course, DeChellis looked like a man whose dream had just come true, which it had.

Also there, representing the contingent most important to DeChellis and his program, was junior guard Sharif Chambliss. Chambliss, for the most part, joined in and played the part. He looked happy and relaxed as people came up to him to exchange greetings or offer support, but when the subject changed to his future, the smile disappeared and he became serious.

When the topic becomes where Chambliss will spend his final year of eligibility, things turn to all business.

"I like what I see in Coach DeChellis," Chambliss said. "I see the passion in his eyes and he's straightforward, which I like. But I'm still weighing my options. I'll meet with Coach DeChellis and decide over the next few weeks."

Chambliss also said he had been contacted by several schools but would not name names.

Chambliss is just one player whose future is in the air. Forward Jan Jagla has been rumored to be looking for a return to Europe, freshman Aaron Johnson has been rumored to be looking for a transfer if he is not given a scholarship and swingman Jamaal Tate, who hasn't played since December, also faces uncertainty.

In what may be a telling sign, Tate did not attend a meeting between DeChellis and his new team that took place Tuesday night.

Everyone else was present and accounted for.

"It's hard to get a feel for someone after only meeting them one time," freshman center Rob Summers said. "We all kind of thought it would be DeChellis. I don't know much about him, but I'm happy we finally have a coach."

While much of the talk centered on recruiting high school talent yesterday, one of DeChellis' reported strengths, it's fair to say DeChellis has some convincing to do with his current team.

"We'll see over the next few weeks if everyone will be back," DeChellis said. "We want people that want to be at Penn State. These guys have to understand that we're raising the bar in everything we do here."

DeChellis said he would meet and attend workouts with each player individually beginning next week, when he will return from the Final Four in New Orleans.

In regards to the Nittany Lions' two signees from the fall period, point guard Ben Luber from Council Rock and center John Kelly from New Jersey, DeChellis is already hard at work. He called both players last night and is planning to visit both when a recruiting window opens up next week.

Another Lion verbal, shooting guard Willie Morse, a high school junior that recently led State College H.S. to a state championship, has yet to comment on whether he will honor his word after Jerry Dunn's resignation. But in a good sign for Lion fans, Morse's father attended yesterday's festivities and appeared happy with the choice.