Frank Leonard joins Temple football staff

PHILADELPHIA – Frank Leonard, who has 27 years of coaching experience on the collegiate and NFL levels, has been named the tight ends coach at Temple University, head football coach Steve Addazio announced on Wednesday.

“We’re very excited to have Frank and his family join the Temple football family,” Addazio said. “Frank and I have known each other for 30 years.  We were college teammates and started our coaching careers together at Western Connecticut under Paul Pasqualoni.  Frank is a tremendous fundamental teacher and has great energy and passion for the game.  His wealth of experience from the NFL and the collegiate level will be a valuable asset for our players, coaching staff, and university.”

A 24-year college coaching veteran, Leonard spent the last three seasons as the tight ends coach for the St. Louis Rams (2009-11). Leonard’s group played a key role in the Rams’ offensive success in 2010.  Daniel Fells finished fourth on the team in receptions as he set a new career-high with 41 catches. Billy Bajema also set a career best as he hauled in 14 passes while continuing to play a key role in the running game.  In addition, Michael Hoomanawanui caught 13 passes, including three touchdowns, in eight games and showed a promising future.

“Certainly, I’m very pleased to be here,” Leonard said. “Coach Addazio and I played together in the 1970s at Central Connecticut, we coaches together in the 1980s at Western Connecticut, and we’ve been very close friends for the last 30 years. It’s a tremendous honor for me to be here coaching and help Temple in the transition to the BIG EAST and BCS football.”

Prior to making his NFL coaching debut for coach Steve Spagnuolo, Leonard served as tight ends coach at Kansas State University in 2007-08. He also spent three seasons (2004-06) as a special assignment scout for the New England Patriots.

Leonard joined the Patriots staff after 10 years at the University of Richmond, where he coached the offensive line (1994, 1997-2003), running backs (1995-96) and served as the school’s recruiting coordinator (2003).

In 1998, the Spiders posted a 9-3 record and earned their first Atlantic 10 title, a berth in the NCAA I-AA playoffs, and a No. 5 final national ranking. The Spiders earned a second Atlantic 10 title and a No. 6 national ranking in 2000 after posting a 10-3 record, rushing for a school-record 3,669 yards and reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA I-AA playoffs.

Leonard coached at the University of Connecticut (1990-93), Western Connecticut (1982-84, 1987-90), and Central Connecticut State (1985-86).