As of three days ago, it appeared that New York Giants offensive line coach Matt Rhule was the frontrunner for the Temple head coaching job. Monday, the news was made official.
“We had a diverse and talented pool of candidates and an overwhelming amount of interest in the Temple football head coaching position, but one person distinguished himself from the rest – Matt Rhule,” said athletic director Bill Bradshaw. “Matt is the perfect person to take the Temple football program to the next level. He is an outstanding recruiter and in his six years at Temple was responsible for bringing many of the players that helped the program win its first bowl in 32 years. He is one of the top young minds in the profession, and has a total understanding of the game. And clearly he is someone who loves Temple, and is already ingrained into the Temple community.”
“It is with tremendous pride and anticipation for the future that my family and I are coming home to Temple University. I am honored and thankful that Bill Bradshaw along with Presidents Englert and Theobald have entrusted me with the privilege to serve Temple as its head football coach, and I am impressed with their vision for the future,” said Rhule. “I had the privilege of spending six wonderful seasons at Temple University in a myriad of roles. and it was during that time that I realized Temple was home. I am very proud of everything that we accomplished culminating in our third straight bowl eligible season and New Mexico Bowl victory. When the opportunity came to return and serve the Temple student-athletes and the greater University community as a whole; I knew it was right. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing the program’s upward momentum as a member of the BIG EAST Conference.”
Rhule replaces Steve Addazio, who left earlier this month to take the head coaching gig at Boston College. Rhule was the Owls’ co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2011 under Addazio and was an Owls assistant for six years.