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 
The issue with Temple football right now is fan support. An entire generation of football fans in the area was lost 1991-2006 with 1.9 wins per season on average and losing 10 or more games seven times in that stretch. It will take some more time to overcome that dismal period and build a population of non-alumni football fans that will come out to the Linc and support a team week after week. I think fans in Philly would support good football played by Temple, but it’s fragile equation as shown by the reaction to the Army game, as you mentioned. The last 10 seasons are heading back in the right direction, but will take 3-5 more good ones, IMO.
Temple would still lose money and operate in the red with great fan support at the Linc. The Eagles take all the money from concessions, charge Temple $50K to paint the field in addition to the yearly lease fees. The break even point exceeds the available number of seats.., i.e., we would still lose money if we sold out every game. This an extraordinarily unique situation, unlike ANY in FBS today.
The current arrangement is not sustainable without conference revenue to offset the operating costs. P5 conference revenue would tip the scale…,
or, we could build our own stadium on campus.., part of the problem is the university has not been transparent with the financials….,
continued play at the Linc is throwing good money after bad
No arguments on any of that from me. It would be a lot easier to build a local fan base if Temple played home games against some regional rivals – schools like Maryland & Rutgers, etc. rather than Tulsa and Memphis. That’s another consequence of the dark period in the 90’s and early 2000’s. If Temple was competitive in the old Big East they might have been asked into a P5 conference when the old Big East broke apart… Again, just IMO…
Mike, I appreciate your appreciation of my comment above. I’m just resigned to the situation at Temple and just hope for the best and enjoy success when it comes along.
But wait a minute, TFF is just for fans of the past 20 years? Well, I guess that includes 45 year fans too (that would be me!) because your next 20 year fans? Maybe, but don’t know if I’ll be around for that stretch. Maybe tho.
Owl, I don’t know if Temple can build much more of a fan base. What I meant was that Temple has a unique situation, meaning a combination of things that don’t engender that “rah, rah” kind of feelings. I think that’s the single biggest reason Temple doesn’t get any nibbles from the P5 conferences, regardless of the 4th largest TV market. Vanderbilt is the closest school to what Temple could in a P5 – 40-45K seat stadium. But they’re “fathered in” to the SEC, being a member for a long time. Temple is trying to start from scratch to try to get into a P5. Some very special circumstances would have to take place for it to happen.
In this years first game a loss won’t be as bad as last years loss to Army. But boy, do I want to see a win at ND!
Me, too. Thanks to the less-than-ambitious scheduling model of Pat Kraft, this is Temple’s last chance for a “statement” win until 2024. That’s a sobering thought. Wins over Maryland, BC, Rutgers won’t cut it on the national scene compared to Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
Not sure TUFB can ever recover from the failed BOT leadership during the Big East days. The BOT’s failed direction, vision, and lack of an appreciation for the emerging college football landscape is damning…., heck, even those folks at Rutgers saw the handwriting…,
where are we now? where is our commitment? Our only commitment has been to the head coaches, grooming them for P5 jobs, AG, DAZ, MR, and now CC..,
we have not committed to program sustainability.., we don’t have strategic plans for getting into the P5 or getting out of the dollar draining Linc..,
Lurie rapes Temple because his fan base allows it.., including the Temple grads, who will not criticize, protest, or act against their beloved Eagles
A win at ND is maybe 3 steps forward, 2 for TU and 1 for the conference. It would go a long way toward that P6 claim. And it couldn’t be scheduled better for TU given the situations for both teams. Both teams will have new QB’s. TU, however, will have a rookie HC. Maybe CC springs something defensively that surprises ND on their first game of their season. IMO, having this as the first game of the season is much better for TU than playing it the following week or during the middle of the season. I’m interested in what others think as to whether this opening game date is best for TU or would you prefer it be played further into the season.
Brian Kelly is a mediocre coach at best. Despite having top ten recruiting class after top ten recruiting class he has not been able to generate consistent success. Losing last year to Navy and a couple of other teams should have gotten him fired. Frankly, I think his players don’t really like him and I can see why after he threw his QB under the bus for leaving.
Easy, I agree having ND first game is best: both teams have questions. ND has higher profile players and are deeper but TU has a solid returning bunch of players who want to win real bad and they won’t be banged up yet. Nd had a lousy season last year, so can they do a 180 this fast or can the Owls take advantage of a hopefully flounding situation? It all comes down to what CC can “spring” on them actually on both sides of the ball. I just have a feeling Temple has a real chance. Hope I’m right.
Mike, your thought about the scheduling not providing another big game for a while is true. But at least the teams you mentioned are from P5 conferences and are eastern, more local opponents that maybe will raise some fan interest and decent paydays for away games. It leads me to wonder if the AD’s thinking is to simply get a schedule that provides an opportunity for lots of wins to attract P5 conference attention. If Temple can knock off the bottom dwellers in those P5 conferences at least it shows they can be middlin’ competitive if invited. Just a thought. But TU better win them. It’s a gamble considering the outcome in the last 2 bowl games.
Geez, didn’t Chris Petersen take the head coaching job at Washington 3 years ago? So much for that commitment to Boise State .
Please get off your ridiculous soap box about Collins committing long term to Temple. In today’s coaching landscape. there is no such thing as head coaches committing long term to a football program . Your living in the past !
The good thing is that Temple can sustain their winning program . The best example to follow is the U of Miami. The Hurricanes share an off campus stadium ( Hard Rock) with the Miami Dolphins. Since 1984 they have had 7 head coaches , none lasting more than 6 years .Additionally, they’ve won 4 national championships since 1984.
The first step in sustaining the program is renegotiate a short term lease at the Linc. .Can’t believe that Temple signed a lease allowing all concessions to be kept by the Eagles, when the construction of the Linc was partially funded by tax payer dollars. Step two is to begin building a stadium on or adjacent to campus.
He stayed EIGHT YEARS at Boise State. Eight years. I rest my case. Not getting off my soap box. You are welcome to leave the site. The difference between the U and Temple is the U fires coaches. They leave Temple voluntarily. That kind of bleeding has to stop.
No can do amigo. I’m sticking around to critique the critic. The coaching carousel is here to stay . Including Temple . Don’t be so naive!!
Not naive. It did not exist for Boise for EIGHT years. Temple should be proactive and make sure it does not exist for Temple. These kids deserve better than the Memphis, UConn or Houston kids. Eight years. Two recruiting cycles. That’s all I ask of Collins. Should not be too much.
Mike think of it this way . Your managing a AAA baseball team and your pretty good as the manager. You’ve won your division the last 3 years and your team won the AAA title game the last 2 years. All your hard is rewarded, when you get the call , naming you as the Pro Team’s next manager. Do you turn the promotion down because of your loyalty to the AAA team . Of course not! Now in this analogy, substitute Matt Rhule or Al Gulden , as the AAA manager.
the last two seasons are a clear indication of the limits of winning towards program sustainability…,
only a handful of teams in the entire nation can claim back to back appearances in their conference championship game…,
and yet we are deeper in the red, and steeper in the climb towards program sustainability..,
winning is a key ingredient but it is not the elixir…, meanwhile woeful Rutgers gets a fat Big 10 check…,
Then there’s this situation: http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/indiana_spent_25m_to_play_in_foster_farms_bowl_sold_only_672_tickets/s1_13156_24166468?mb_edition=20170615
That situation could be predicted for many programs given the same scenario (mid-level P5 opponent, long travel, expensive location). Not all teams have the financial backup to cover that exposure.
Risk of a crappy reward for having a very good season.
Fortunately, between 6-10K fans traveled to D.C. to see the Owls play in a bowl, more for the championship game. Don’t think these figures would have held up if either was more than a few hours’ drive. I guess the Temple fan base versus the Indiana fan base is a good comparison.
I wonder what happens to the bowl games in light of ESPN’s cost cutting via the firing of many on and off air personnel. Will they be forced to cut back on the financial backing of so many of the bowls they own? Is so, probably a half dozen or more bowls go away. Andif the payouts get reduced, perhaps something like the Pinstripe Bowl gets a little more flexibility in choosing between TU as the AAC champion to play in NYC with 6 to 10k following rather than forced into a tie-in with a 6-6 p5 team that brings 1-2k. This whole ESPN financial situation is just starting to take hold.
Lincoln Financial Field is a financial fiasco for Temple and the city, so a new stadium is a must for sustainability. TBOT needs to formulate more than one stadium option and consider bribes for the city council and mayor. The Owls deserve a stadium deal like the hapless pro teams in town.
yea verily
Unfortunately, it is IMPOSSIBLE to know if your guy will be the 10 year guy. Everybody thought Rhule was (myself included). He left for the money also. They all do. Outside of Frank Solich, name 1 long time G5 coach.
As for scheduling, Temple is in a no win situation. Who wants to play them? If a P5 school schedules them and wins, they just beat a G5 school. No upside, regardless of how good Temple is. If they lose, it is extremely damaging. And there is no way to know if Temple will be good in 3-4 years when the game would be played. If Temple is bad, it really hurts the P5 school. If Temple is good. It was still just a G5 school.
Pat Kraft made it clear that the middle of the pack P-5 teams do not want to play Temple and if they do, they want two home games and one away game, something he refuses to do. That’s why we have Bucknell on the schedule. Fact is that with conferences playing nine conference games there’s less of a pie to go around. That’s why I think Kraft has to change his policy.
Temple really NEEDS to win their next bowl game. Losing to pretty good but mediocre teams has to stop for credibility to rise.
Agreed. The “Unfinished Business” last year was getting to the AAC title game and winning it; the “Unfinished Business” this year is ending the season with a bowl win (it would be also great to win the AAC again). Can’t get the fan base all hyped up to make great showings in Boca and Annapolis and send those big crowds home disappointed.
Clearly, Temple can only win bowls played in states with “New” in their name. Or played in Japan…
Yeah, I still say winning bowl games (even mediocre ones) gives a school more national viability than winning the AAC championship – but both are better of course.
kj, maybe just building any old crappy stadium that can be improved and added onto later would be better for the uni than staying in that horrible deal with Lurie. Hell, making a deal to play at Franklin Field and paying them 50K to put our logo on the field would be better for a short while than the Lurie deal. For the number of fans Temple gets to the games they’d fill up Franklin and it would look better on TV at least. Don’t know how it would effect recruiting however, if at all.
But for right now, beat ND!
I would prefer going to franklin field than building a crappy stadium or paying lurie one nickel.