Temple football coach biography
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The bio on the Temple Football website for (soon-to-be-former) head coach Matt Rhule seemed to know bigger and better things were imminent. This segment, five paragraphs down, could have been summed up in three words: Please don’t go.
On June 25, 2015, Rhule was rewarded with a four-year contract extension that will keep him on the Temple sidelines through the 2021 season. Temple’s Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft announced, “Matt Rhule is one of the best young coaches in college football and we are excited that he will be at the helm of Temple Football through at least 2021. Matt has the program heading in the right direction, especially as we enter a very promising season on the gridiron, and we are confident that he is the right person to take the program to even greater heights.”
Rhule is gone.
He rewarded Temple with a 10-win season in 2015, then another 10-win season this year, that included the American Athletic Conference title. When Temple was pegged for the Military Bowl in Annapolis, it was a matter of time before a bigger school snatched Rhule up.
On Tuesday, Baylor made it official, (as did Temple) pulling Rhule away from the Owls to try to fix a Big XII program in total disarray. Still, a mess or not, Baylor is an enormous step up from Temple.
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Temple University introduced a familiar face to Owls fans today, naming K.C. Keeler as its new head football coach.
With a track record of success and a deep connection to the Philadelphia area, Keeler's hiring has brought a renewed sense of optimism to a program looking to rebuild.
Inside Temple's Liacouras Center, former players and alumni gathered to celebrate the arrival of Keeler, who has enjoyed a distinguished 31-year coaching career. His record is 271-112-1 (.701).
Keeler is returning to the Philadelphia area where he has deep roots.
"We're excited to come back," said Keeler, recalling his early days in Philadelphia, including his time working at a YMCA in Center City after his second stint with the Eagles. "My wife and I fell in love here, and it feels like coming home. We have roots in this city, and now we're excited to build something special."
Keeler, who previously led the Delaware Blue Hens to an FCS National Championship in 2003 and brought Sam Houston State to a title in 2020, is known for his ability to turn programs around. His success at both Delaware and Sam Houston has made him a respected name in college football.
Former players and alumni are enthusiastic about what Keeler could bring to a program that has struggled in recent years.
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Temple Owls football
Football team boss Temple University
| Temple Owls football | |
|---|---|
| First season | 1894; 131 years ago |
| Athletic director | Arthur Johnson |
| Head coach | K. C. Keeler 1st season, 0–0 (–) |
| Stadium | Lincoln Monetary Field (capacity: 68,532) |
| Field surface | Bermuda grass |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| NCAA division | Division I FBS |
| Conference | The American |
| All-time record | 488–623–52 (.442) |
| Bowl record | 3–6 (.333) |
| Conference titles | 2 (1967, 2016) |
| Division titles | 3 (2009, 2015, 2016) |
| Rivalries | Villanova (rivalry) |
| Consensus All-Americans | 3 John Rienstra, 1985 Paul Linksman, 1986 Tyler Matakevich, 2015 |
| Colors | Cherry and white[1] |
| Fight song | "Fight! Temple Fight!" |
| Mascot | Hooter T. Holler, Stella (live mascot) |
| Marching band | Temple University Infield Marching Band |
| Outfitter | Nike[2] |
| Website | owlsports.com |
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