Sources: D’Onofrio won’t replace Golden

Apparently, Mark D'Onofrio will not be the next football coach at Temple.

He's been the team's defensive coordinator for the past five seasons under his good friend and former Penn State teammate Al Golden, who just left to take over the Miami program. Many assumed that D'Onofrio, who was also named assistant head coach several years ago, would make for a logical successor if he desired. Now, we know that's not going to happen.

Athletic director Bill Bradshaw announced last night that he will conduct a national search to find Golden's replacement. Sources close to the situation said D'Onofrio was not offered the job, won't be part of the search and appears likely to join Golden in Miami.

"Temple is firmly committed to finding the best possible candidate to continue the success it has experienced over the past two seasons and lead it to even greater heights,'' Bradshaw said in a statement. "The program has never been in better shape...Our goal is to find the right person to continue this success on the gridiron while also maintaining excellence in the classroom...

"This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to keep the program on the winning track.''

The Owls went to a bowl game in 2009 for the first time in three decades. This season they lost their last two to finish 8-4, and were one of two bowl-eligible teams that didn't receive an invitation.

Bradshaw obviously made the correct choice when he got Golden. Now it's his charge to do it again.