Golden aide will interview for Temple coaching job

Matt Rhule, who served as Temple's offensive coordinator under Al Golden for three years, is expected to interview for the Owls' head coaching job.

Golden was introduced as the new head coach at Miami on Monday, and Temple announced Tuesday that it would launch a national search for a new coach.

Rhule, 35, grew up in State College and is a Penn State graduate, like Golden and former Owls defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio, who also appears to be headed to the Hurricanes with Golden.

Rhule, who played linebacker for the Nittany Lions, joined Temple in 2006 as the linebackers coach. In 2007, he was the quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator.

In an 8-4 season this fall, Temple was fifth in the Mid-American Conference in scoring offense and sixth in total offense. Last year, when the Owls enjoyed their first winning season since 1990, they were third in the league in scoring offense and eighth in total offense as Temple went 9-4.

Rhule is one of 10 coaches still on the payroll at Temple. Seven coaches are on the road recruiting and trying to solidify their relationships with the 15 players who had orally committed to the Owls before Golden left.

Temple can take on as many as 25 first-year players.