The Stan Drayton era at Temple came to a quiet conclusion as the school decided to part ways with its football coach with just two games left in his third season. Drayton, who previously served as Texas’ running backs coach and associate head coach, took over a team that finished 3-9 under Rod Carey, mirroring that win total in his almost three years at the helm.
For the fifth consecutive year, the 3-7 Owls will miss out on a bowl game, and the program is in urgent need of an impactful hire to turn things around. They haven’t achieved a winning record since 2019.
Here are four potential candidates the Owls could consider for their next head coach.
Jeff Nixon, Syracuse OC/running backs coach
Nixon has played a key role in Syracuse’s resurgence this season alongside Camden native Fran Brown and is seen as a leading candidate for the job. With a coaching career spanning 28 years at both the collegiate and NFL levels, he previously coached at Temple in 2006 and has had roles with the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants. This season, he has significantly contributed to the success of Syracuse’s offense, which ranks among the top in several categories.
Bryant Haines, Indiana DC/linebackers coach
Haines has garnered attention for his leadership of Indiana’s defense, which has excelled this season during a historic start. Under his guidance, the Hoosiers rank first in rushing yards allowed and third in total yards allowed. Haines would be a strong candidate for Temple, especially if the program opts for a defensive-minded coach.
Deion Barnes, Penn State defensive line coach
Potentially a game-changing hire, Barnes has strong ties to the New Jersey and Philadelphia recruiting areas. As a North Philly native and Penn State alum, he has demonstrated an impressive ability to recruit and develop talent, particularly defensive linemen. His track record includes coaching multiple first-round draft picks, making him a compelling option for the Owls.
Glenn Thomas, Nebraska co-OC/QB coach
Currently working at Nebraska under Matt Rhule, Thomas is familiar with Temple’s successful history, having previously coached there during notable seasons. With 26 years of coaching experience across both college and the NFL, Thomas could bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program.
Ultimately, any of these candidates could make a significant impact as Temple looks for its 18th head coach.
He served as Temple’s offensive coordinator in 2016 and was the quarterbacks coach during both seasons at North Broad. His experience includes offensive coordinator roles at Arizona State, UNLV, and Baylor, and he worked as an offensive assistant for the Steelers in 2023. The Cornhuskers have had a turbulent offensive season as they adjust to the freshman year of starting quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Thomas’ extensive experience and connections throughout the NFL and college football make him a strong candidate, although his hiring might not create a significant impact.
Additional names to keep an eye on include Damiere Shaw, running backs coach at Rutgers; Elijah Robinson, defensive coordinator at Syracuse; and Al Washington, defensive line coach at Notre Dame.
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