Temple recruit Buddy Brown likes Matt Rhule as Owls' next coach
Williamstown's Buddy Brown, the headliner of Temple's 2013 recruiting class, will definitely remain an Owls' commitment if Matt Rhule becomes the head coach.
"He's definitely somebody we would stay with," said Shawn Brown, the father of the linebacker. "Coach [Steve] Addazio was definitely a big part of Buddy's commitment there. He did like him. There's no getting around that."
Addazio left Temple Tuesday to accept the head-coaching position at Boston College. There's a thought that he will try to persuade Brown and two other Temple recruits – Elizabeth (N.J.) quarterback P.J. Walker and Montour offensive lineman Matt Barone – to come to Boston College.
Shawn Brown said the Browns have not been contacted by Addazio since was named BC's coach. The Browns won't focus on recruiting until after Friday's South Jersey Group 5 championship game between Williamstown and Southern at Rowan.
Then they will wait to see who Temple selects as Addazio's replacement before making a decision.
"As of right now, we have nothing planned," Shawn Brown said of visiting other schools. "Nobody has contacted us."
Rhule, the New York Giants assistant offensive line coach, is a candidate the current and former Owls players and Temple alumni are pushing the university to hire. He was the Owls co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Temple before joining the Tom Coughlin Giants NFL staff in March.
He had various coaching positions during his six seasons as an Owls assistant, five of which he served under Al Golden.
"We kind of remember him, because we went to a camp when he was there," Shawn Brown said. "He was a decent guy. We definitely know who he is. So there's definitely a little familiarity with him."
The Browns believe Rhule will keep graduate assistant Fran Brown on staff if he gets the head-coaching job. While Buddy Brown likes Addazio, Fran Brown was the main reason he committed to Temple.
Fran Brown is a Camden native and is in charge of recruiting South Jersey.
"If they are smart, Fran would be their No.1 choice to hire as an assistant coach," Shawn Brown said. "He knows every kid in South Jersey. They would get kids that they think they wouldn't get in South Jersey.
"Every kid loves Fran, every kid. That's the reason why Buddy is committed to Temple."
Buddy Brown, a high three-star recruit by Rivals.com, chose Temple over Rutgers and Virginia. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is regarded as the nation's 25th-best outside linebacker in the Class of 2013.
"We are not about to hit the panic button," Shawn Brown said of Addazio's departure.