Temple Owls Football: A Storied History

Temple University's football program, known as the Temple Owls, boasts a rich and evolving history, dating back to its inception in 1894. As a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), the Owls compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). This article explores the eras, coaches, rivalries, and achievements that have shaped Temple Owls football.

Early Years and the Rise to Prominence

Organized football began at Temple a decade after the university's founding. Charles M., a physical education instructor and basketball coach, played a crucial role in the program's early development. The modern era of Temple football is often traced back to 1925, with the arrival of Henry J. "Heinie" Miller as head coach. Under Miller's guidance, the Owls became a regional powerhouse. The 1927 season saw the Owls achieve dominant victories, and a 44-year rivalry with Bucknell College commenced with a Temple victory. In 1928, the Owls inaugurated Temple Stadium, securing shutout victories in their first six home games.

The Glenn "Pop" Warner Era

Following Miller's departure in 1933, Temple made a significant move by hiring Glenn "Pop" Warner, a legendary coach with three national championships from his time at Pittsburgh and Stanford. Warner's six-season tenure at Temple resulted in a 31-18-2 record. In 1934, the Owls achieved a 7-0-2 regular-season record, earning an invitation to the inaugural Sugar Bowl in 1935, where they faced undefeated Tulane, ultimately losing 20-14.

Post-Warner Era and Mid-Atlantic Conference Success

After Warner's retirement in 1938, Fred H. Swan briefly took over as head coach before Ray Morrison arrived from SMU. The program experienced fluctuations in success, with moments of brilliance marked by All-American players. The 1941 season saw the Owls achieve a 6-1 start, securing victories over rivals Penn State, Bucknell, and Villanova. Despite a strong 7-1 record in 1945, Temple did not receive a bowl game invitation.

The 1960s saw George Makris take the helm, restoring competitiveness to the program with a 45-44-4 record over ten years. This era coincided with Temple's participation in the University Division of the Middle Atlantic Conference, where they clinched the 1967 conference championship.

The Wayne Hardin Years and Garden State Bowl

In 1969, Temple transitioned to an independent program to elevate its competition. Wayne Hardin, previously at Navy, took over as head coach and led the Owls to impressive seasons, including a 9-1 record in 1973 and an 8-2 record in 1974, with a 14-game winning streak. The 1979 season was particularly noteworthy, with the Owls achieving a 10-2 record, the most wins in school history. They secured victories over West Virginia, Rutgers, and Syracuse, with their only losses coming against nationally ranked Pittsburgh and Penn State. The season culminated in a 28-17 victory over California in the Garden State Bowl. Hardin's 12-year tenure resulted in an 80-52-3 record, establishing Temple as a formidable Eastern football power.

Challenges and Transitions: Arians to Wallace

Wayne Hardin retired in 1982, and Bruce Arians, previously with Alabama, succeeded him. Arians achieved some success, including multiple wins against Pitt, and two 6-5 seasons. Jerry Berndt followed Arians, leading Temple to a 7-4 record in 1990, their last winning season for nearly two decades.

Big East Conference Struggles

In 1991, Temple joined the Big East Conference, facing challenges in competing with programs that had superior resources. The Owls struggled to secure conference wins, and coaches Berndt, Ron Dickerson, and Bobby Wallace were unable to reverse the program's decline. In 1998, the Owls upset No. 14 Virginia Tech, marking their first Big East road win and first victory over a ranked opponent in 11 years. The Big East voted to expel Temple from the conference, effective in 2002.

The Al Golden Era: Rebuilding and Bowl Eligibility

Al Golden was appointed head coach in 2006, initiating a rebuilding process. The Owls snapped a 20-game losing streak in 2006 and showed defensive improvements in 2007. In 2008, they achieved their most wins since 1990, and in 2009, they went 9-4, their best record since 1979, earning a bid to the EagleBank Bowl.

Addazio, Rhule, and Recent Success

Steve Addazio coached the Owls from 2011 to 2012, leading them to their fourth bowl game and securing their second bowl win in team history. Matt Rhule, who had previously served as a Temple assistant coach, took over as head coach in 2012. After a challenging first season, Rhule oversaw significant improvements, including a victory over Vanderbilt in 2014, their first win against an SEC opponent since 1938, and an upset over No. 21 East Carolina, their first win over a ranked opponent since 1998.

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In 2015, Rhule led the Owls to a historic victory over Penn State, their first since 1941. The Owls achieved a 7-0 start, earning national attention and hosting ESPN's College GameDay. They finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, securing a berth in the inaugural AAC Championship. In 2016, Rhule guided the Owls to another AAC East title and a victory in the American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, their first major conference title since 1967.

Collins and Carey: Continued Bowl Appearances

Geoff Collins succeeded Rhule in 2016, leading Temple to a bowl win in 2017. Collins's Temple team finished the 2018 season 8-4 and qualified for the 2018 Independence Bowl. Rod Carey replaced Collins in 2019, achieving two wins against AP Poll-ranked teams and finishing with an 8-5 record.

Drayton and Keeler: A New Chapter

The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the team finished with a 1-6 record. Carey was fired after the 2021 season, and Stan Drayton was appointed as the next head coach. Drayton was fired in 2024. K.C. Keeler was hired on December 1, 2024.

Rivalries and Stadiums

Temple maintains rivalries with Villanova, Penn State, and Rutgers. The series with Penn State dates back to 1931, with Penn State holding a significant lead in the series. Temple and Villanova have a series dating to 1928. Temple and Rutgers have played 38 times.

Throughout its history, Temple has played at various home fields, including Vernon Park, Temple Stadium (also known as Owl Stadium and Beury Stadium), and Veterans Stadium. Currently, the Owls play at Lincoln Financial Field.

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Media Coverage

Temple football receives coverage from various media outlets, including The Temple News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, NBC Sports Philadelphia, OwlScoop.com, and OwlsDaily.com. Games are broadcast on WPEN 97.5 The Fanatic, with Harry Donahue handling play-by-play and Paul Palmer providing color commentary.

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