Owls bring in, shuffle football coaching staff

After the departures of three assistants, Temple football coach Al Golden added two coaches to his staff yesterday and shuffled some positions in preparation for spring drills.

The new coaches are Jared Backus and Kevin Gilbride, who will take over the Owls' defensive linemen and running backs, respectively.

Backus, 36, spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Bucknell.

The 27-year-old Gilbride, who spent last season as the slot receivers/tight ends coach at Georgetown, is the son of Kevin Gilbride, the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants.

Also on the Temple staff, offensive coordinator George DeLeone will give up his job as quarterbacks coach to tutor the offensive linemen along with tight ends coach Andrew Dees. Matt Rhule, who previously coached the defensive line, will become quarterbacks coach and head the Owls' recruiting department. Jeff Nixon, who was running backs coach, will direct the wide receivers and be the team's community service representative.

Golden made the hires after Mike Siravo and Ryan Day left for positions at Boston College and Bob Bicknell moved on to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

Temple football coaches

Head coach/special teams coordinator: Al Golden

Offensive coordinator/interior offensive line: George DeLeone

Defensive coordinator: Mark D'Onofrio

Defensive line: Jared Backus

Linebackers: Curtis Bray

Tight ends/offensive tackles: Andrew Dees

Running backs: Kevin Gilbride

Wide receivers/community service representative: Jeff Nixon

Quarterbacks/recruiting coordinator: Matt Rhule

Secondary: Paul Williams