Rhule formally introduced as new football coach at Temple

Philadelphia, PA -- Matt Rhule was officially introduced as Temple University's next head men's football coach on Monday afternoon.

Rhule takes over for Steve Addazio, who bolted North Philly for the job at Boston College back on December 4. The 37-year-old spent the past season as the assistant offensive line coach with the New York Giants.

“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. 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 spent six seasons as a member of Temple's football staff, first under Al Golden, then under Addazio through the end of last season.  Under Golden, Rhule was promoted to offensive coordinator in the spring of 2008 and also coached quarterbacks.  He coached the defensive line in 2006 and served as the quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. With Addazio, he was promoted to co-offensive coordinator after serving as the assistant offensive coordinator and tight ends coach as well as the recruiting coordinator in 2011.

“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 Temple AD 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.”

Rhule will be in charge of a program which elevated itself from one kicked out of the Big East in 2004, to a powerhouse in the MAC, to one now vital in a renewed Big East affiliation.

Despite a 4-7 finish this past season, the Owls finished 26-12 from 2009-11, including their first bowl appearance since 1979 in the EagleBank Bowl against UCLA in Washington, DC in '09 and a win in the New Mexico Bowl last December.