Official: Temple hires Florida DC Geoff Collins as head coach
Temple has found its new head coach.
The Owls have hired Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to replace Matt Rhule, who left Temple for Baylor. The news was first reported by ESPN.com.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Collins’ deal with Temple spans five years.
“I want to thank President Englert and Dr. Kraft for this incredible opportunity to join Temple and the City of Philadelphia,” Collins said in a Temple statement. “I have been in the game of college football for more than two decades and I am humbled and honored to be chosen to build on a great foundation of success. We will compete for championships, we will provide a world-class student-athlete experience and education, and we will represent the community with pride.”
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Collins has spent the last six seasons as a defensive coordinator in the SEC — two at Florida and four at Mississippi State. In the past two seasons, Florida has boasted a top 10 defense nationally. This season, the Gators were sixth overall in total defense. In 2015, they were seventh.
Collins also served as an assistant at Florida International, UCF, Georgia Tech, Western Carolina, Albright College and Fordham and was Alabama’s director of player personnel in 2007.
Temple will be Collins’ first head-coaching job. He inherits a team that just won the American Athletic Conference title and has won the AAC’s East division in back-to-back seasons. The Owls also reached the 10-win mark in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history.
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The 23rd-ranked Owls will cap off their season against Wake Forest on Dec. 27 in the Military Bowl.
For more Temple news, visit OwlScoop.com.
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