Owls getting busy with coach hunt

TEMPLE'S SEARCH for a football coach is starting to rev up.

Matt Rhule, the coach a lot of Temple people would like to see get the job that became open when Steve Addazio left Tuesday for Boston College after only two seasons, interviewed on Saturday. That makes sense, since he's now an assistant offensive-line coach with the New York Giants and Temple's basketball team was playing Duke at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

Rhule spent six seasons at Temple under Al Golden and then Addazio before going to the Giants job in March. He was the offensive coordinator and later the recruiting director, and was credited by Addazio for keeping the recruiting class together after Golden left for Miami.

"I think a lot of players on the team have a lot of respect for [Rhule]," said senior placekicker/punter Brandon McManus, who was recruited by Rhule. "He looks at Temple as home. That's important."

But he's not the only candidate. Sources have confirmed OwlScoop.com reports that San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre, who was the Owls' defensive coordinator in 1997-98, was scheduled to interview late Sunday. He took the Spartans from 1-12 to 10-2 in three seasons, and also interviwed for the Cal job that went to Louisiana Tech's Sonny Dykes. MacIntyre has said he is not "actively pursuing" other openings.

OwlScoop has also said two other candidates will be interviewed on Monday: Mario Cristobal, recently fired by Florida International following a 3-9 season, and former Owl Todd Bowles, the Eagles' defensive coordinator. Cristobal was a finalist for the Rutgers vacancy last offseason.

Defensive coordinator Chuck Heater also is in the mix.

Sources have said that Dr. Neil Theobald, who is scheduled to take over as Temple's president next month, is going to be involved in the process.

Another name that has been mentioned is that of Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson, a former Villanova offensive coordinator. Mark Ingram, who in August was named Temple's assistant vice president for athletic development, was at Tennessee in 2008 when Clawson was the offensive coordinator there.

The last time Temple had to hire a football coach, the process took just 8 days. Given the timing - this was a big recruiting weekend - it would figure there should be someone in place by the end of this week or early next week.