Story by
K.C. Keeler Thinks Temple Is Ready to Compete
- Story by
- K.C. Keeler Thinks Temple Is Ready to Compete
K.C. Keeler told his team last offseason he had no interest in being realistic. He wanted Temple , which hadn't put together a winning season since 2019, to dream of bowl games and conference championships.
The Owls came close to delivering on the first goal in Keeler's debut season as head coach. Temple finished 5-7, an improvement on the 3-9 record the team had posted each of the previous four years.
Advertisement
Keeler is ready to be realistic now. The goals remain the same; they just don't feel as far off as they once did. In Keeler's eyes, the Owls took their medicine and still improved. They didn't import a plethora of players in the transfer portal for a fast reload. Instead, Temple prioritized internal development, culture-building and good, old-fashioned high school recruiting. And Keeler feels great about the group he has in place for 2026.
"We're a much better football team than we had last year," Keeler told Athlon Sports. "I do think there's kind of a fresh, new attitude here, where it's not unrealistic to think that we can battle to be one of the best teams in this conference — if not the best team in this conference."
Temple Owls coach K.C. Keeler on the sideline against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on Sept. 20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
It's been a long time since Temple was in that position. The Owls last won the American Conference in 2016 under former coach Matt Rhule. There was some success in the years that followed, but the 2020s have been rather forgettable for the Philadelphia-based college football team.
Advertisement
Temple tapped Keeler to turn things around. Across 32 years as a head coach, he can count his number of losing seasons on one hand. Keeler has won two FCS national championships — at his alma mater, Delaware , and Sam Houston , where he was when the Owls came calling. And it doesn't hurt that he's a native son of Pennsylvania .
Keeler said the program's importance was apparent early on in meetings with his players.
"There was just a constant theme of how much they loved this place," Keeler said, "and how much they wanted to get it fixed."
Advertisement
That's why he didn't go through with a total roster teardown that first offseason. Keeler recognized he had to increase the talent level, but he didn't want to bring in what he called "mercenaries." Temple took 26 transfers in 2025, a low number by recent standards after a coaching change. And Keeler only brought one player with him from Sam Houston.
Keeler believes that loyalty was rewarded this offseason. The Owls didn't lose a single starter to the transfer portal, despite what Keeler called "significant" offers from Power 4 programs.
Temple wide receiver JoJo Bermudez catches a pass against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on Sept. 20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Temple returns nine starters in total, including seven on offense and four on the offensive line. Included in that group are all-conference nominees tight end Peter Clarke , wide receiver and return specialist JoJo Bermudez and linebacker Curly Ordonez.
Advertisement
While talent retention was a top priority — Keeler said he recruited his own locker room first — talent acquisition is in a good place at Temple, too. The Owls signed the top-ranked high school recruiting class in the American Conference and brought in an intriguing mix of transfers.
Edge rusher Jaylon Joseph from Lafayette, an FCS program in Pennsylvania, could be a difference-maker for a defense that had just 16 sacks last season. "I don't know if we've blocked him yet this spring," Keeler said.
Defensive tackle Kevin Hornbeak made the jump to Temple from Tiffin, a Division II college in Ohio . The former shot putter can help shore up a front that surrendered more than five yards per rush last season.
Advertisement
The Owls also made bets on pedigree by bringing in former Power 4 players, such as running back Sam Brown V ( Rutgers ) and safeties Saboor Karriem ( Illinois ) and Kolin Dinkins ( Penn State ).
Temple offensive lineman Diego Barajas (77) and tight end Ryder Kusch (33) check back against Oklahoma at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
"Getting [12 power-conference players] in, especially at a place like Temple, that says a lot because there are schools in the conference that kids are more likely to go to," an anonymous American assistant coach said in Athlon Sports' College Football Preview magazine .
Advertisement
Quarterback Jaxon Smolik ( Penn State ) is part of that contingent. He's locked in a battle with Ajani Sheppard ( Washington State ) for the starting job. They went back and forth all spring, though Smolik played better in the spring game. Keeler said they're still battling and has not yet named a starter. Athlon Sports' Steven Lassan projects Smolik will win out .
If that comes to fruition, Smolik will soon reunite with his old team. The Nittany Lions are coming to Lincoln Financial Field in Week 2, renewing an in-state rivalry that's been dormant for a decade. Penn State leads the all-time series against Temple, 40-4-1. However, the Owls pulled off an upset in 2015, the last time they played in Philadelphia.
"Those are the kind of games that I want to play," Keeler said. "I want to play Pitt. I want to play Penn State. I want to play Maryland . I want to play Rutgers. If we're gonna play those Power 4 schools, let's play the schools right here in this area."
Advertisement
Temple fans cheer against Penn State at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple defeated Penn State 27-10 on Sept. 5, 2015, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Temple already has some of those games scheduled. There's a return trip to Penn State in 2027 and a four-game series with Rutgers set for the 2030s. More pressing, though, are the Owls' eight American Conference games in a league that Keeler said is "really up for grabs."
Coaching changes at Tulane, Memphis, South Florida and North Texas — four of the top teams in the 2025 conference standings — might make for a more open race this fall. UTSA and East Carolina also figure to factor into the picture, along with Navy and Army.
Advertisement
Keeler has prioritized preparation for the conference's two service academies. One-point losses to the Midshipmen and Black Knights were the difference between Temple going 5-7 and 7-5 last season.
"There were so many plays out there to be made, and we didn't make those plays," Keeler said. "What we're hoping is a little bit better talent, and also our kids understanding the scheme better, will translate into dividends for us."
There's hope around the Owls program for the first time in years. And already, Keeler's goals are starting to sound much more realistic.
Advertisement
Related: Athlon Sports 2026 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now
Related: Curt Cignetti Q&A: Indiana Coach Opens Up on Challenge of Title Defense
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
