PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's John R. Rockwell Head Coach of Men's Basketball, Steve Donahue, has announced the departure of assistant coach Ira Bowman from his staff. Bowman, a 1996 Penn alum who spent the last six years on the bench for the Quakers—the first three with Jerome Allen, the last three with Donahue—is taking a job as an assistant coach at Auburn University.
 
"It is with mixed emotions that I say farewell to Ira," said Donahue. "I am grateful for the three years he helped me, and the previous three with Jerome, and his role in helping to bring Penn Basketball back to a championship level. When I think of the ideal Penn basketball player, Ira Bowman is who I envision—he was a gifted player, but what made him special was his ability to connect everyone within the program. He did the same as an assistant coach. His mentoring and leadership will be missed. Ira has a great future in coaching, and I wish him nothing but success at Auburn."
 
In 2017-18, of course, Penn went 24-9 overall and won a share of the Ivy League title with a 12-2 mark in conference play. The Quakers then won the Ivy League Tournament with wins over Yale and co-champion Harvard, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years where they lost 76-60 to top-seeded Kansas in Wichita, Kan. Following the season, sophomore forward AJ Brodeur was named first-team All-Ivy and NABC All-District as well as second-team All-ECAC and All-Big 5. Another sophomore, Ryan Betley, was second-team All-Ivy, NABC All-District, and All-Big 5, while a third Penn player (Darnell Foreman) received honorable mention All-Ivy recognition.
 
Bowman returned to Penn prior to the 2012-13 season from NJIT, where he spent four years as an assistant coach. As a player, he was the 1996 Ivy League Player of the Year and played on a pair of Ivy League championship teams wearing the Red and Blue.
 
A member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Auburn went 26-8 last year under head coach Bruce Pearl and beat College of Charleston in the NCAA Tournament first round before falling to Clemson in the second round. The Tigers were ranked 23rd in the final 2017-18 Associated Press national poll and are a consensus top-15 team in most media outlets' 2018-19 preseason polls.
 
A LETTER FROM IRA BOWMAN
The last six years have been an incredible part of my life journey. I have been so fortunate to work with tremendous people—the entire coaching staff that I've had the opportunity to work with throughout my time here (Nat Graham, my college teammate/friend; Joe Mihalich; Brad Fadem; Scott Pera; Mike Lintulahti; Jason Polykoff; Clayton Brothers).
 
To the athletic administration, my fellow coaches, basketball support staff, academic support staff and compliance—you've all been great. Thank you all. 
 
I've had the opportunity to coach and mentor a special group of young men over this period of time and I couldn't be more proud of them. 
 
This place is special to me. Penn pride runs through my veins! There are so many people I'd like to thank. From Jerome Allen, who gave me the opportunity and believed in me, to Steve Donahue who taught me so much and empowered me. From Steve Bilsky, who has been a mentor to me, to Dr. Calhoun who has forged a championship mentality throughout our athletics department.
 
A special thanks to the University Chaplain, Chaz Howard, who has guided me so much. 
 
There is no place like Penn. It is hard to leave. I'm truly glad that I am able to leave it better than I found it. 
 
I learned in a church service awhile back that we as people should not pray for God to "bless us" but instead to "bless through us." This is a big reason I got into coaching. I would hope that one or more of my interactions with my Penn family has resulted in some form of blessing for them, because I know that so many of my interactions with my Penn teammates have been nothing but a blessing in my life! Whether it was guys like Scott Kegler, who was instrumental in my development, or roommates like Cedric Laster who was monumental in shaping my perspective. Whether it was coaches like John Krikorian and Bill Guthrie spending extra time working with me, or teammates like Shawn Trice who wouldn't allow me to leave the gym until he was satisfied with the results of our 1-on-1 games.
 
So many people played a part in my development as a player, and henceforth my development as a coach. I just want to pay it forward. I live every day knowing we are no one without the sacrifices of others. I am so thankful, and I know all this is possible from the sacrifices of the shoulders of others and with the grace of God. 
 
I echo the words of Coach Fran Dunphy: "I am so grateful for what Penn has done to me and for me!"