Coaches James Franklin and Pat Chambers were named the No. 27 coaching duo in the nation for basketball and football, according to a ranking by Athlon Sports. Athlon Sports heaped the praise on Coach Franklin, but took note of Chambers’ struggles on the hardwood.

“Franklin guided the Nittany Lions to an unlikely Big Ten title in his third season Happy Valley in 2016 and followed up with another 11-win campaign last fall. He has built a national power at Penn State,” Athlon said of Franklin.

Chambers, however, has not had that same sort of success.

“Chambers is having a tough time turning things around at Penn State (no NCAA Tournaments in five full seasons), but the Nittany Lions are flirting with a winning record in Big Ten play for the first time since 2009.” Chambers did have his team flirting with a NCAA Tournament berth, but following three straight losses, a NIT berth is more likely.

The Franklin and Chambers duo is the eighth ranked duo in the Big Ten, led by Michgan State’s D’Antonio and Izzo clocking in at No. 1 overall. Coaching duos at Ohio State, Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Wisconsin all are ranked ahead of Penn State, as well.

Athlon Sports is the number one publisher of sports annuals in the United States. It’s best known for publishing annuals on professional and college sports.

Penn State hoops is back in action against Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament  at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The football team is in the midst of winter workouts and will play its annual Blue-White scrimmage Saturday, April 21.