Owls and Golden not resting on their laurels

The Temple football team is coming off its best season since 1979, but coach Al Golden isn't ready to rest on his laurels. After all, as he reiterated time and time again in 2009, "It's not about having a season. It's about building a program."

No doubt Golden, who is entering his fifth year at the helm, would love to dwell on the fact that his Owls went 9-4, earned a share of the MAC East Division title and nearly upset UCLA in the EagleBank Bowl. However, that's just not his style. It can't afford to be either, especially with spring practice for the upcoming 2010 season well under way.

"It's sad because, as a coach, you want to keep recognizing those achievements," Golden said this week in preparation for tomorrow's annual Cherry and White spring game at 2 o'clock. The game will be played at the Edberg-Olson Complex, on campus at 11th and Diamond.

"But I think the thing that's been driving me in the offseason," Golden said, "is those two losses [to Ohio University and UCLA]."

Golden knows that if his team is going to put together back-to-back outstanding seasons, it is going to take a blue-collar mentality, a readiness and willingness to work on even the most basic fundamentals and techniques as he begins to install offensive and defensive packages. And from the onset of spring practice, he believes that the Owls - who return 16 starters and 56 lettermen - have come in with the right attitude. Because of injuries, the scrimmage will feature the offense against the defense instead of two full squads.

"This team has really brought its lunch pail into spring practice," Golden said. "Overall, I hope that we've crossed over from a team that would be sometimes flat and going through the motions. I think last year's team enjoyed the moment, enjoyed the battles, didn't get tight in the closing moments. I hope they'll bring that type of energy to the game on Saturday."

Senior Vaughn Charlton has switched positions, going from quarterback to tight end. Redshirt junior Chester Stewart is now the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart.

Stewart threw for 514 yards last year with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Charlton threw for 1,390 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"If I could name a No. 1 right now I would," Golden said before the position change, adding that redshirt junior Mike Gerardi and redshirt freshman Chris Coyer also have seen repetitions with the first-team offense. "I'd love to be able to do that, but right now, we're still evaluating our talent . . . It's a wide-open competition. However, we'll be able to narrow it down after Saturday's game."

That's not the case at running back, where Bernard Pierce (1,361 rushing yards, 16 TDs) will look to continue where he left off during his record-breaking freshman season.

"He's really one of our hardest workers in the weight room," Golden said of Pierce, a Glen Mills School product who missed two of the final three games with a shoulder injury. "He's just got to understand the mental toughness and durability. Once he does that he'll have it all."

Golden likes what he has seen out of senior wide receiver Michael Campbell, and he was quick to mention the improvement of senior lineman Elisha Joseph and senior linebacker Amara Kamara on defense.

Given Temple's recent success, Golden was asked if he has spoken with his team about a change in mentality as it goes from being the perennial hunter to being the hunted.

"That's something for you guys [the media] to talk about," Golden said. "Our only concern is on the process ['goals plus outcomes equals education,' as Golden likes to say]. If we commit to each other, we're going to improve. We really don't worry about that other stuff."

Sounds like an answer from a coach whose sole focus is on "building a program."

The Owls again will open their season at Lincoln Financial Field against Villanova, on Sept. 3 . . . Al Golden mentioned that the Owls' schedule includes six bowl teams from 2009: Penn State, Connecticut, Ohio, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green. *