After 32 years at Franklin Pierce University, including as head coach of the Ravens’ men’s basketball program since 1999, David Chadbourne has stepped down.

In a statement released on the Franklin Pierce Athletics Twitter account, Chadbourne wrote that the decision was difficult, but that he “chose to go with where I love to live as opposed to where I love to work. … I have such incredible memories and I am very proud to have served FPU and I will always be a Raven and a Raven supporter. FPU is a special place and the people who work there are the reason why. I wish everyone good luck and the best always.”

In particular, he thanked former Athletic Director Bruce Kirsh and former men’s basketball head coach Art Luptowski for hiring him, along with current Athletic Director Rachel Burleson.

“I am forever grateful for how you treated me after my wife passed in 2017,” he wrote of Burleson

Chadbourne also Franklin Pierce President Kim Mooney “for her kindness and leadership during some very difficult times.”

“Her support of my program and all the athletic programs are a big reason why we have been able to have sustained success,” he stated.

Franklin Pierce released a statement that read: “Coach Chadbourne has been a constant at Franklin Pierce University. His dedication to the university, the athletic department, and the men’s basketball team has been unwavering for 32 years. Most importantly, his sense of commitment, family, and integrity have been a guiding light for his athletes and countless young coaches and staff. We appreciate his dedication, and he will forever be a Raven.”

After five years as an assistant under Luptowski, Chadbourne served as coach of the women’s team at Franklin Pierce, compiling a 63-24 record in three years and leading the team to an NCAA Tournament bid in 1999. He took over the men’s team in 1999, compiling a record of 345-308 and 17 postseason berths.

His 2011-2012 team went 22-8, won the Northeast-10 regular-season championship with an 18-4 record and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament. Chadbourne was named the NABC East Region Coach of the Year and the NE10 Coach of the Year.

The next season, the Ravens were 24-9, 16-6 in the NE10, and won the NCAA Division II East Region Championship with a 57-52 victory versus the University of Bridgeport in Manchester to advance to the Elite 8 in Louisville. In 2013-2014, the Ravens recorded their third consecutive 20-win season as they were 21-8, 15-6 in the NE10, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.

He earned his 300th career men’s basketball win with a 77-74 victory at home in The Fieldhouse against Saint Michael’s College Jan. 4, 2020, and his 2021-2022 squad won the NE10 Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament, finishing with an 18-11 record. He was named NE10 Coach of the Year.

Chadbourne’s final team went 17-12, 11-9 in the league, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NE10 Tournament before losing 58-51 to Southern New Hampshire.

In addition to basketball, Chadbourne coached baseball in 1996 and 1998, softball  in 1995 and the men's and women's tennis teams in 1993 and 1994. In 1993, he led the men's tennis team to the NECC title, followed by a runner-up spot in 1994.