By Bert Lunay

12.1.24

PHILADELPHIA – Temple University has hired K.C. Keeler as the new head coach of the Temple football program. Keeler, a championship-winning head coach who has successfully built winning programs at multiple levels of college football, brings a track record of effective recruiting in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and elite-level coaching to the Owls’ program.

“Coach Keeler has a track record of evaluating, recruiting, and developing student-athletes into championship-level young men,” Vice President/Debbie and Stanley Lefkowitz ’65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson said. “His leadership, experience, and the culture he establishes within programs are exactly what Temple football needs as we look to return to prominence in the competitive college football landscape. We are ecstatic to welcome K.C., his wife, Janice, and his entire family to Temple.”

“Coach Keeler is a proven winner, but just as important as that, he is a proven program builder. That is exactly what he did at both the University of Delaware and Sam Houston State University,” said Temple University President John Fry. “He also led the Bearkats through a seamless transition from the FCS to the FBS, where his teams continually rose to the challenge.  Coach Keeler is the perfect leader to help us navigate the rapidly changing landscape of college football and position Temple to compete for conference championships and play in bowl games. This is a great day for Temple University.”

Voted one of the 150 greatest college coaches of all time by Blue Ribbon ESPN panel in 2019, Keeler most recently served as head coach at Sam Houston where he compiled a 97-39 record over his 11 years at the helm. The Bearkats advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs six times and went a perfect 10-0 during the 2020 season to capture a FCS national title.

Additionally, Keeler guided the Bearkats through their successful transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision as part of Conference USA, where they earned bowl eligibility this year with a 9-3 record, narrowly missing out on an appearance in the C-USA title game.

“I am beyond thrilled to be named Temple University’s next head football coach,” Keeler said. “I would like to thank Arthur Johnson and President John Fry for  this incredible opportunity. Their shared vision and enthusiasm for returning this program to greatness has been contagious. I’m eager to get to work to bring that vision to fruition for the Cherry and the White. It’s a perfect fit and it feels great to be coming back home!”

Keeler’s experience also includes coaching stints at Rowan University (1993-2001) and the University of Delaware (2002-12), where he led the Blue Hens to three FCS national championship game appearances and won the 2003 title. Throughout his career, Keeler has earned several prestigious coaching honors, including the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS Coach of the Year in 2016.

In his remarkable coaching career, Keeler has amassed 271 career wins, making him the second-winningest active college coach and 21st-winningest college coach of all-time. His teams have appeared in 17 NCAA postseason playoff appearances, 11 conference championships, and have played in nine national championship games across all levels.

Keeler made history as the only coach to win national titles at two different FCS institutions, having claimed championships at both Sam Houston (2020) and Delaware (2003). He was also the fifth-fastest coach to record 250 wins in college football history.

Keeler’s accomplishments extend beyond his team’s successes on the field. He is known for developing NFL talent, including Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco and 2018 second-round pick PJ Hall, and for mentoring 77 All-America players. His ability to cultivate academic excellence has also been a hallmark of his career, with 22 student-athletes earning national or district Academic All-America honors under his watch.

In addition to his coaching success, Keeler has been involved in numerous community service initiatives. He and his wife, Janice, raised nearly $1 million as part of the One Campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, and he has been recognized by the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation for his commitment to helping others.

Keeler, originally from Emmaus, Pennsylvania, is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he played linebacker for the Blue Hens. He and his wife, Janice, have two children, Kate and Jackson, and are the proud grandparents of Gannon, Isla, and Calla.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT COACH KEELER…
“I’m so grateful of my time working with K.C. I quickly learned about his approach of putting people first and transformational leadership. He gave me the opportunity to grow as a young coach and steered me along the way. I will be forever thankful for my opportunity to coach for him. I’m excited to see where he takes the program at Temple!”
-Dan Lanning, Head Football Coach, University of Oregon

“K.C. will be a great hire at Temple. His recruiting skillset is one of the best in the country. His success at Delaware and what he accomplished at Sam Houston State makes him one of the best coaches in the country.”
-Andy Talley, Former Villanova Football Coach; College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2020)

“Coach Keeler took a chance on me 20 years ago and I’ll never forget that. I couldn’t be more excited for him and his family. If you’re an Owls fan, I’d be excited. He has been a winner everywhere he’s been.”
-Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts; Super Bowl XLVII MVP

“Coach Keeler is a great fit and a great look for the Owls! They will be competing for championships in no time! Every program he has been around, he has turned the program around. He is a great leader and always surrounds himself with great coaches. I can’t wait to see this unfold! Congratulations to Temple, you have your guy!”
-Mike Adams, 16-Year NFL Veteran; Captain of 2003 Delaware National Championship Team

“Bearkat Football has been very blessed to have had a Hall of Fame coach like K.C. have such a positive impact on our program. I want to thank Coach Keeler for what he has done for our football program and athletic department. I am so proud of all the successes our program has achieved on the field, in the classroom, and community under his leadership. He has worked hard to embrace and enhance our environment for student-athletes in the football program. I believe we have worked very well together through all the changes we have faced over the years and have developed a strong professional leadership group and personal friendship. I am very happy for K.C. and Janice to have the opportunity to be closer to family and their home.”
-Bobby Williams, Director of Athletics, Sam Houston

COURTESY TEMPLE ATHLETICS