Temple still working on search for football coach

Temple still does not have a head football coach, and it is unlikely that one will be named by Friday.

Owls athletic director Bill Bradshaw said Wednesday that the announcement probably will be made next week.

"It is unlikely that we would have any decision before early next week," Bradshaw said of seeking a replacement for Steve Addazio, who left Dec. 4 for the coaching job at Boston College. "There are still some conversations that we have to have. There's still a lot of background work we have to do.

"A lot of the challenges with interviews and just the timing of things with the university are challenges to getting things done more quickly. We are trying to navigate unusual circumstances."

Richard M. Englert is Temple's interim president until Neil D. Theobald officially becomes the university's 10th president on Jan. 1. Theobald is a top administrator at Indiana University.

"Their involvement is very important," Bradshaw said of both Englert and Theobald. "That's a circumstance we have to navigate that's a little different."

Eagles defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is believed to be one of the finalists for the job. Bradshaw would not deny or confirm that. He would say only that Temple has "a small group of finalists we are considering."

"I would hesitate to give any kind of order to that right now," he said. "We are not in that position right now. But I would say any one of the finalists would prove to be a very good hire and would be highly successful as the next football coach at Temple."

In addition to Bowles, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, Temple defensive coordinator Chuck Heater, New York Giants assistant offensive line coach Matt Rhule, former Florida International coach Mario Cristobal, Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton, and Miami defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio interviewed for the position, according to sources.

One reported candidate for the job, San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre, accepted the job at Colorado on Monday. Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson withdrew his name from consideration.