Last donation: Heriberto S., McDonough, GA, 4/24/23 (thanks, Heriberto!!) Two on 4/14/23 (thanks to Joe F. and Ross M. ); Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla. 2/18/23 (thanks, Tom!!!)Ed P., Yardley, Pa. (1/9/23; thanks, Ed,) Lawrence S., West Chester, Pa., 12/28/22, our first contribution in over a month (thanks Larry, this will help in having to replace the printer we purchased in the summer that went on the fritz); Bob C., Chadds Ford, Pa., 11/27/22 (thanks Bob, our first contribution since September) Ed P., Perkasie, Pa. who donated 9/24/22 at the UMass game and Ed and I both remember and love Pennridge coach Wayne Helman; Joe S. (Delaware County), 9/3/22 (thanks Joe, hope to see you at Lafayette or RU); James G. (thanks James and for all the great posts you make on this site),, 7/29/22: Matt P. (former Al Golden player, thank you Matt for the generous donation it will be put to good use as we will explain in Monday’s post), 6/9/22; Matt F., Horsham, Pa. (thanks, Matt!!), June 6, 2022; David, B., Milton, DE (thanks, Dave), April 11, 2022: Andy B., Philadelphia, Pa. (our first donation of 2022, thanks Andy), March 3, 2022; Ed P., Yardley, Pa. 12/25/21 (thanks, Ed for the Christmas donation); Matt F., no hometown found (“a celebratory donation for Carey’s firing”), 11/30/21 thanks, Matt; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio, 11/29/21 (thanks, Jon for the donation and the great comments on this site); James G., Royersford, Pa. 11/28/21 (thanks, Jim, for the donations and your comments on the website); Anonymous (no home town given but donation really appreciated), 11/20/2021; Roger D., Rehoboth Beach,, Del., 10/24/21; Joe S., Drexel Hill, Pa. 10/3/21 (thanks, Joe) At the BC game (9/18), John from Landenburg (thanks, John for being a great friend of this site for so many years); Three Aug. 21 donations: Eric A (former player), Atlanta, Ga; Anonymous (by request), Cincinnati, Oh; Tim R., Buffalo, N.Y. (sincere thanks to all); David N., Silver Springs, Md (thanks Dave) 7/10/21; former Temple player Matt P., who lives in Columbus, GA now (thanks Matt) 7/9/21; Joe F., Philadelphia (4/7/11, thanks Joe) Matt F., Horsham, Pa., 3/27/21 (thanks, Matt); Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio (1/31/21, thanks Jon) Ed P.,, Yardley, Pa. (thanks, Ed, much appredicated), 1/16/21; Mitchell S. , 12/21/20, our first contribution since (10/8) earlier, Former Owl Bruce G., Flourtown, Pa, who generously donated $100 in “honor” of the Ambler guy 10/8/20; (if they hate you in Ambler, we love you in Flortown,” BG says). Thanks, BG, we appreciate it; Earlier: James G., Philadelphia (7/21/20, thanks James) Robert B., Philadelphia (7/13/20, thanks, Bob, hope to see you at the tailgates again this fall); Previous: Jon E. from Cincinnati 6/15/20, our first donation this calendar year (thanks, Jon); Earlier, John from Landenberg; Kurt B., Wyomissing Hills, PA (former Temple player, 10-15-19) Earlier: David B. , Springfield, PA (9/26/19 … thanks, Dave!) also John from Landenberg (9/21/19); Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla. (8/22/19, thanks Tom!! Also, 10 days earlier, Bob. C and Joe S. and, on June 26, first bowl MVP Mark B.
Earlier: Matt F., Philadelphia; Matt P. (former Temple player) John from Landenberg and Jon E. from Cincinnati
Jay M. no hometown found ; Earlier: William B. Chicago; John from Landenberg, ; Mark B, South Jersey, Joe S, Springfield, PA…,
Also:
Ed P., Perkasie, Pa; and Richard W. (no hometown given); Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Tim C., no hometown available; Bob C., David B., Springfield (Montco); Mark B., from South Jersey; John from Landenberg, Pa.; Joe S., Primos, PA; Thomas W., Palm Coast Fla; Jon E., Cincinnati; Mike S.,no hometown; Ed P., Yardley; William B., Chicago; Matt M., Philadelphia; Matt T.., Oreland; Kevin H., Philadelphia; John from Landenberg, Pa.; Carl M, Silver Spring, Md.;; Brett K., Swedesboro, N.J.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, NY; David K., Malvern; Jon E., Cincinnati ; Jon, SE Ohio; Cordalia and Jim S., Eastampton, NJ.; Herb G., Newport News, Va.; Richard W., Royersford; Matt T., Philadelphia, Pa.; MWB, Mechanicsville, Va.; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; K.J., Alexandria, Va.; Jeff D., Philadelphia,; Michael R., Philadelphia,Matt T, Philadelphia, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.(8 in a row for 8 in a row, thanks EM); Jake and Diane Gicker, Dunmore, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.; Adrian R. Sr., Harrisburg, Pa.; Frank M., Marlton, N.J.; Ernie, Millville, N.J.; ; Jay M., Salem, Ore.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Phil E., Lorton, Va; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Matt M., (five donations in a row); Kevin F., Philadelphia, Pa.;Matt M. (three donations in a row, thanks, Matt); Matt M.; Matt M.; Brian C., Philadelphia, Pa.; Matt M., Hometown ;Unknown; David N., Silver Spring, Md.; Matt M., hometown unknown; Frank K., Horseheads, N.Y.; Mike F., Montauk, N.Y.; John, Landenberg, Pa.; Michael B, D.C.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; James G., Philadelphia, Pa.; Michael R., Philadelphia, Pa.; David N., Silver Spring (Md.);
Mark H., Gilbertsville, Pa.; Lisa M., Hummelstown, Pa.; Johnny Who, West Chester, Pa.; John T., Medford, N.J. (formerly North Catholic, Philly); Jon, SE Ohio; Jay M., Salem, Ore.; Dan M., Moscow, Pa.; Cyrus, Oklahoma City; Jon E., Cincinnati; Chris K., Harrisburg, Pa.; Chip M., Silver Spring, Md.; Dave B., Springfield, Pa.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, N.Y.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Ed F., Philadelphia, Pa.; Frank P., Jamison, Pa.; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Matt G., Haddonfield, N.J.; Tom L., Charlottesville, Va.; Thomas S., Landisville, Pa.; Jack D., Haddonfield, N.J.; Heriberto S., McDonough, Ga; Dr. Jim S., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Dick White, Milton, Del.; Matt T., Philadelphia; Jerome S., North Caldwell, N.J.; Mike D., Fairview, N.C.; Tim W., Myerstown, Pa.; Edward P., Yardley, Pa.; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Kurt B., Wyomissing, Pa.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Tom S., East Norriton, Pa.; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio; Matt T., Yardley, Pa.; Steve C., West Chester, Pa.; Floyd, Blackwood, N.J.; Jim J., Chalfont, Pa.; John, Landenberg, Pa; Jon E., Cincinnati; Ron A., Camp Hill, Pa.; Jay S., Jenkintown, Mr. John H.; Jonathan N., Atlanta, Ga.; Michael E., Levittown, Pa.; Ted D., Media, Pa. Nick and Sharon, Upper Bucks County; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Todd H., New York City; Alex H., Westport, CT; Joe S., Primos, PA; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, N.Y.; Stanley G., Mountain Top, Pa.; David N., Silver Spring, Md.; Micah F., Philadelphia, Pa.; James S., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Johnny B. at the Hill Studio, Paulsboro, N.J.; Nick C., Philadelphia; Tom C., Birmingham, Ala.; Phil. E. (Fast Phil), Lorton, Va; Jerome S., North Caldwell, N.J.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; George P., Downingtown, Pa.; Edward F., Philadelphia; Bryan S., North East, Pa.; Josh P., West Chester, Pa.; Brent Z., Atlanta, Ga.; David B., Springfield (D), Pa; Lisa M., Hummelstown, Pa.; David H., Pottstown, Pa.; Brian O., Ambler, Pa; Frank P., Jamison, Pa.; Brian C., Philadelphia; Mark B., Manlius, N.Y.; Ted D., Media; Scott J., Columbus, Ohio; Thomas H., Mullica Hill, N.J.; George T., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Rob G., Fleetwood, Pa; Steve C., West Chester, Pa.; Fred A., St. Augustine, Fla.; Michael S., Westfield, N.J.; John, Landenberg, Pa.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Frank P., Jamison, Pa; Matt G., Basking Ridge, N.J.; Joe S., Primos, PA; Nick and Sharon, Upper Bucks County; John T., Medford, N.J.; Cap P., Finksburg, Md; Coolowl, New York City; Michael B., Washington, D.C.; Oakee, Salem, VA; Rob from Fleetwood; John from New Kensington; Kathyrn, Bloomingville, Ohio; Rockland Owl; Matt, Haddonfield, N.J.; Anthony, New York City; Jason F., Berlin (N.J.); Ed, New Hope; Mark B., Manlius, N.Y.; Mike, Lindenwold, N.J.; Tom C., Birmingham, Ala. Jim, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Kurt, Wyomissing Hills, PA;
Dave, Ocean City, N.J.; James, Chalfont; Ross, Garden City (N.Y.); Schmitty, Ocean City, N.J.; Sarge (via Schmitty);
Broad Street Leon; Martin, Encino (Calif.); John, Boston; Mike, Susannanoa, N.C.; Francis, Lansdale; Tom L., Charlottesville, Va.; Mark, Gilbertsville, Pa.; Frank, Sebastian, Fla.; George, Toms River, N.J.; Tom, Branchburg, N.J.; Chris, Philly (our first Philly donation!); John, Landenberg, Pa.; Tom S. East Norriton, Pa.;
Temple Football Forever 
We’re still recruiting Trey Klock, and another ’17 WR/ SS from Central HS just committed.
– I think we’re also still looking for a few JUCOs as well.
It’s interesting to note how many offers recently went out to highly-recruited ’18 prospects. Collins’ strategy so far appears to be diverging from that of Rhule, but only if we can get any of those players to commit.
Mike, is there any more insight as to WHY this recruiting class was a mulligan? Completely agree on the impact being felt years from now, and if nothing else on this blog I’ve commented for years on the need to be consistent year over year (no steps back). Building a strong, sustainable program takes time and getting the vast majority of the calls correct.
Just figured we would have had better recruits coming off of two monstrous seasons and a championship from arguably the best G5 conference. If that doesn’t help sell the program I’m not sure what will.
A couple of reasons. 1) Matt Rhule stopped recruiting when it became apparent to him that the team was headed to the championship game (late Nov.) and his options would be open; 2) Collins did not have the same binder on how to run a program Golden wrote and he was operating as a HC from the seat of his pants and spent far too much time on assistants to the neglect of the recruiting priority. What’s that old saying? Make hay while the sun shines? With a shiny trophy to carry around, the light should have blinded recruits. The day Collins was signed my hope was that he would be like the other ex-Temple coaches, able to keep the recruits already in the fold and reaching out to flip a couple of P5s. That never happened. He seemed more focused on quick fixes (Jones, Klock) and not as interested in guys who could help 3-4 years down the road.
Agree on MR not only checking out but also pilfering top recruits on his way to hell. On a side note Matt gets paid handsomely to live and work in a sanctioned cesspool populated with Christian hypocrites, what do the player get…but I digress.
Collins is fortunate in that he’s got a bunch of quality red shirts joining the active roster. This doesn’t give him a mulligan but does cover up a weak (by headcount) recruiting year. Next year he needs to lead the conference in recruiting with a focus on O-line. He also needs to produce a solid season on the field to ensure all momentum isn’t lost.
Reviewed your chart of recruits for Temple from Golden through Rhule. How many were 3 or 4 star recruits? I don’t think any.
The Thrift Shop Boys. Tyler Matakevich or Hasson Reddick were on no one’s watch list. Temple is where bargain basement buys, walk-ons, and late bloomers turn heads and get drafted.
While I don’t think it fair comparing Collins to Strong (Strong a name known to the kids), it is fair to compare GC’s effort to Daz’s being they came from the same program and situation. Golden was a total unknown making him the champ.
Not saying Collins shouldn’t have done more but Mike when you said Rhule stopped sooner on the Temple recruiting trail says a lot. I mentioned that some time ago, but everyone has been focused only on Collins. Not only did Rhule stop but the star level wasn’t as high as it had been either, plus he took a couple of the best ones with him. One of Collins negatives was concentrating on keeping Rhules recruits who weren’t as good as usual instead of hitting the recruiting trail harder. Also as I’ve mentioned before, maybe he sees something better to coach up in this class than the rest of you see so he wasn’t as concerned to begin with. At Temple, the “coaching up” has been an important factor for the recent success, but it is also true getting a few star level guys sprinkled in was not as good this time. We’ll see – year to year is the Temple way, so let’s give the new coach a chance.
For what it’s worth, the “conventional wisdom” in recruiting is that a championship has the most legs in the year-after class. By the time a championship is won there’s very little movement among existing commitments. With the ’18 class Collins has more opportunity to sell it. I’m also a reluctant to draw an exact comparison to USF with this class. Strong/USF have a geographic advantage that’s hard to overcome.
lets not forget that the classes these coaches brought in were primarily established by the prior coaches. You could argue Collins only failure were the decommits.
Not true for Golden who got 29 good recruits starting from scratch and did not recruit a single Wallace target.
Mulligan my eye. The man said he was ready to be a head coach and he miserably failed his first test regardless of how these kids turn out. How is it possible that a team that played for a league championship two years in a row finishes last in the conference in recruiting? How does UConn have a better class with a retread head coach hired well after Collins was for a team that’s horrendous? I’ll tell you how, Our head coach was in over his head and panicked when the bright lights hit him. Don’t know where Tom Bradley is coaching but he should have been Collins’ first call even if it meant naming him assistant head coach. Don’t care about etiquette either. He should have been able to convince at least one Florida recruit to jump ship. Hope that this class is not a sign that he’s not ready to coach and is going to learn on the job just like Rhule,did because Rhule wasted two seasons and left 8 wins on the field while learning on the job.
I agree. I am all for giving the guy a chance
I agree. I am all for giving the guy a chance but not at expense of withholding fair criticism
Mike, your “fair criticism” of Rhule may have forced him to reconsider Sattersfield’s crazy five wide receiver spread offense and feature a fullback. I hope your “fair criticism” of Collins causes him to buckle down and look to continue to add motor to the recruiting foundation Rhule and especially Golden laid. It’s good to not have a guy patting the Temple coach on the back all of the time. Love your blog.
I may add everything Collins has done is to aid his quick exit from Temple. That may be good for him, but it’s sending a terrible message to the Temple fans. Did the administration not vet him properly? I’m for “extreme vetting” when it comes to Temple coaches.
The administration hired a guy with no recruiting ties in this area. You cannot compare this class to Rhule’s first class. Rhule had been recruiting all of those players for years. He only had a 1 year hiatus.
I cant really compare the USF class either. Charlie Strong was the Head coach at Louisville and Texas, with solid recruiting ties already in florida. I will judge Collins more on next year’s class. That will be the measuring stick for me.
Collins was a good hire but I think in retrospect bringing Golden back (like UConn brought back Edsall) might have been a better one. First, Golden would be more apt to stay this time(knowing he was burnt the last). Second, he knows the area and has established recruiting ties here. Third, he would not be looking for quick fixes like JUCOs or grad transfers. I think he would have taken the job. He left on pretty good terms, understands Temple (he brought back the TEMPLE helmet) and being head coach at Temple is a significantly higher-profile job than TE coach with the Lions. Let’s hope I’m wrong and Collins is not here for a year and gets out but everything he’s done from a recruiting perspective demonstrates otherwise.