Temple coaching search: Candidates, names to watch

After letting go of head coach Rod Carey, the Temple Owls are just the latest school to be searching for a new headman. Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and The Athletic put together a list of potential candidates, naming six options for the Owls.

Texas running backs coach/run game coordinator Stan Drayton – One of Texas’ biggest assets in the recruiting world has been running backs head coach Stan Drayton. He was a key figure in getting Bijan Robinson to Austin and has received high marks from players currently in the NFL. Drayton has never been a head coach himself but being from Cleveland, he would recruit the area well for Temple.

Texas A&M defensive line coach Elijah Robinson – Temple would be bringing back a former staffer of Matt Rhule’s if Elijah Robinson ended up being the selection. He coached the defensive line there as well, having six first-team All-American selections over a three-year span. Robinson has been building one of the defensive lines in the country for Texas A&M as well.

Ole Miss co-defensive coordinator Chris Partridge – Another name Temple could be looking to pull from the SEC is Chris Partridge. He has been on Ole Miss’ coaching staff as the co-defensive coordinator since Lane Kiffin was hired as the head coach in 2020. Partridge is from the northeast as well, making him familiar with the recruiting area.

Rutgers secondary coach Fran Brown – Temple could be looking to bring back one of their own, as Fran Brown served as the defensive backs coach from 2013 to 2015 and the defensive coordinator in 2019. He left to be Rutgers’ secondary head coach under Greg Schiano. A candidate in the past for the job, the Owls may make another go at Brown.

Michigan running backs coach Mike Hart – The second running back coach named, Mike Hart was hired by Jim Harbaugh before this season. He was pulled from Indiana, where he held the same position for four seasons. Hart has never been a head coach and something to note — Michigan is his alma mater.

Former Florida coach Dan Mullen – Dan Mullen was once seen as the hottest name on the coaching market when Florida hired him away from Mississippi State. Even with his recent comments about recruiting, Mullen would make for an excellent hire by Temple. He has proven he can win during his time in Starkville and to some extent, Gainesville.