April 18, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; April 18, 2011 - Penn State coach Ed DeChellis has released suspended Nittany Lion freshman Taran Buie (State College, Pa.) to seek a transfer giving the Nittany Lions two available scholarships to fill during the spring signing period, which began April 13 and runs through May 18. DeChellis will also seek a new Director Of Basketball Operations this spring as first-year director Ernie Nestor has accepted a position as an assistant coach at Missouri.
Buie played in 11 games, all in the non-conference season, in his first year at Penn State before being indefinitely suspended by DeChellis in late December for a violation of team rules. He averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds while playing an average of 15.2 minutes per game, reaching double-figures in scoring twice and posting a season high 14 points in a victory over Central Connecticut State.
"I met with Taran following the conclusion of the season and we agreed it was in his best interest and in the interest of our program for him to pursue the remainder of his career at another school," DeChellis said. "I have granted Taran his release to seek other opportunities and wish him well as he grows and progresses in the future."
Missouri has announced Nestor as one of its first three additions to its coaching staff following the hiring of Frank Haith, a former Penn State assistant coach (1995-96), to take over its men's basketball program on April 4. Nestor and Haith served as assistant coaches on Dave Odom's Wake Forest staff for four years together from 1997-98 to 2000-2001.
Nestor, who served head coaching stints at George Mason (1988-93) and Elon (2003-09) among seven other stops on college coaching staffs in a career spanning more than 40 years, leaves for Missouri after one season as the Director of Basketball Operations at Penn State. The Nittany Lions were one of the country's most improved teams in 2010-11, going 19-15, reaching the Big Ten Tournament championship game and earning their first NCAA Tournament bid in a decade.
"I am happy for Ernie that he has a great opportunity to get back on the floor and coach, which is what he loves to do and does very well," DeChellis said. "We greatly enjoyed having Ernie as part of our program during the last year and appreciate his contribution to our reaching the NCAA Tournament. We wish him all the best."
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