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 
Hey Mike, I hope this note finds you doing well. And, I very much enjoy your ditty’s, weekly. I typically don’t waste my time writing to Administrators, Athletics Directors and the like but I am compelled to share with you my communications with Wingard and Johnson. My initial letter was heartfelt and welcoming. Briefly, introducing myself to them. Light hearted, kindred in kind but obviously sincerely hoping to here back from them. At one point, I did hear from Katie Colbridge-Ganzelli. Her response was typical and ironic, she asked me for my cell number which was contained in my letter long with my email ID and my home address. I wasn’t hiding behind my keyboard. I followed up with a second letter because I am “TEMPLE TOUGH”…to no avail.That said, here’s what I know. Carey has destroyed the culture more importantly our “brand”. He’s like a snake eating his tail. A slow painful death. He doesn’t connect and he hasn’t earned the respect of the fans, parents or student athlete’s. Nor do I think he tries. For 3 years, I have watched him put our student athlete’s in the worse possible position. He doesn’t know their abilities and he really doesn’t know how to adjust weather it’s a “game plan” or an approach to the process. The kids under previous coaches understood the process, coaches were approachable and they genuinely cared about the kids after they left the Livingroom. And, the kids were tight that a fist! They trusted and respect the game, the effort and each other. Basic blocking and tackling of a cohesive team.The quin·tes·sen·tial deterioration is obvious to the average Temple fan. But, the math and science is the under current that puts our program on the ropes. We only field 19 sports, to most conferences that’s an issue. Consider the geographical ebbs and valleys with leaving the AAC and deleveraging the 4th largest TV market and the math doesn’t work. And, the deterioration of the basketball program and we have the ingredients/chemistry of a synergistic outcome. Since graduation I have more than donated back my scholarship. When the dropped baseball my pen ran out of ink. I continue to support the student athlete’s, the effort and will continue to do so…the current atmosphere was created by them. They juggle school work, practice, weight & film room, meetings and maybe have time to do some personal laundry. I don’t believe for a New York minute that we possess the 3 elements to develop, build and maintain an athletic program. Sorry to be negative but I have followed Temple sports since 1969. And, they treated Coach Wilson like an old pair of shoes. They have a long history of not diving into the deep-end. I forgot to mention, I had my first letter hand delivered to Johnson because the University failed to have his email set up on his first day of work. But, when Jayden went to the portal he was remove from the rooster immediately. We’re paying this guy 167k per game, 33,400 per hour and roughly 400k per loss. I could go on but I wanted you to hear directly from me and my efforts to connect with this administration. I listened to Johnson’s inaugural words and his 90 day plan but Rome is on fire. Watching the game last week, I was stunned and sicken by the attendance and play. I also canceled my flight (for Barb & I) car rental and hotel reservations for the Navy game. I enjoy seeing my brotha’s in K-Lot. The loyalty that exists in that group is a mirror image of trust and respect for each other. They share a common love and respect for the game, the effort and the commitment to the process. Thanks for listening and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am flying in this weekend to hook up with a few of my teammates from the 77 team. Tony Roni’s out in Upper Darby then back to my roommates home so our wives can here us tell stories. Never gets old…
Best Regards,
Michael DiGiacomo mdigiacomo35@yahoo.com | 216.402.7034
Just saw that VT and Fuente have mutually agreed to part ways. With what looks like so many FBS opening don’t think TU can wait until the end of the season to move on from Carey. Michael DiGiacomo’s post here seems to capture the situation all too well. I am starting to think the money isn’t there to let Carey go, no matter how bad, with 3 years left on the contract to be bought out. Having a nightmare that we could see him for another year or 2!!! as the HC
I don’t see the word mutually here: https://www.si.com/college/2021/11/16/college-football-coaching-carousel-nine-jobs-open-justin-fuente-fired-virginia-t
I thought Carey’s contract was for 5 years not 6 – people keep saying he has 3 more years left, unless last year didn’t count?
Altho it’s way too late I thought I detected Carey “trying” to cozy up to the players during the game, had his arm around one for a long time on the sideline for example. Of course I only saw what was shown on TV. Someone posted a suggestion recently that Temple should fire Carey and tell him he’ll only get a portion of the money that’s coming to him. Good idea but a contract is binding and that’s why I keep saying it was a ridiculous contract offer to begin with. But it would be groundbreaking and maybe precedent setting to essentially let these coaches know “you may have a contract but you need to do a decent job none-the-less, or else.” Try it anyway – Temple has a law school after all.
Since the 6 million buy out number keeps getting brought up thought that was for the remaining contract after this season? I was at the game and for the most part Carey was generally standing off by himself around the 30 yard line, probably a good 10-15 yards away from the majority of the players. Times when he cozied up to specific players was more the exception than the norm
Mike you should’ve put yourself on your “break the story” poll! You’re the man with the contacts and the inside scoop on TUFB- give yourself some credit
Trying to keep this as objective a poll as possible plus I think that with the immediate impact of Twitter that’s probably the platform where all the firings are first heard about. I first heard about Justin Fuente, though, on my YouTube recommendations when I got up this morning so I probably should have included that in the poll. I heard about Daz leaving on KYW first (which broke the story probably because Harry Donahue was on air at the time and he’s well-connected with the big boys at Temple by being the voice of the Owls). Also heard about Rhule leaving 11:45 a.m. on KYW as well. KYW has almost ignored sports since, though, unless you include puff pieces with Widener and West Chester athletes.
Mike G hits the proverbial nail on the head. Carey doesn’t connect with people. Certainly not student athletes. I’m not implying he is a bad person, just that his personal skills are not adequate to coach at the FBS level. Sure you need to be able to make adjustments, scheme and game plan effectively but you also need to get 18-23 year old students to come to practice, study hall, meetings and games with emotion and energy, not flying around and playing emotionally and taking penalties, but controlled aggressiveness. It starts at practice, the dining hall, study hall and carries over to games. It was obvious when players were laughing on the bench during a shellacking from UNC that this program was headed in the wrong direction.
Student athletes that don’t have a connection with the coach (in this case Carey) are like employees that can’t stand their boss. Ineffective. You want an FBS HC job, bring some vigor, moxie, personality and be genuine. You could absolutely 100% tell that Carey did not have that in year 1. Admit mistakes. Be human and say “you know what, I screwed the pooch with Ed Foley, my bad”. Have some self deprecation in your conversations with players and alumni. Sports I know are a business, but it also doesn’t hurt to enjoy going to practice, enjoy walking to the dining hall after practice together, enjoying a flight or lifting session. This team seems to be utterly devoid of having any fun. I feel for the student athletes as 4 years go quick and that’s it for most of them. I’m happy Mike G can hook up with his buddies and rehash old stories, I’m just sorry this team 30 years from now will look back and say “you remember that guy that was coaching us, how the hell did he get that job”.
C E SPEED
Only went to one game: BC. Nice to get together with friends but I came away thinking if we have Russo he makes those connections with Jones and blue that were open all day. I saw enough. Carey has ruined my Saturdays. I’ll be back when he’s gone.
I think you just wrote the job description for when TU posts the position on the job boards.
As we all likely suspected, this man isn’t connecting with players.
My goodness this hits home for me like a punch in the gut. I have seen this type of manipulation and lived it. These coaches have control over these young men because they can say and label anything they like without the student athlete being able to defend themselves. This really has me pissed and although I haven’t heard both sides I know what they can do. Quite frankly, with the amount of players leaving I am leaning toward believing their side.
15 players leave who all loved Temple and hated Carey. This is an open and shut case IMHO
Seems like when a coach has met up with his level of incompetence and knows he is stuck in a situation where he has failed and doesn’t know how to change to improve, some will take it out on the athletes. Long time ago I was in the stands at a game when Bobby Wallace was floundering badly and some players parents were talking, actually complaining, about how he put the kids through some hellashis workouts – abusive sounding stuff, certainly stuff they had never encountered before under other coaches. Most athletes don’t mind working hard, listening to what they need to do and pushing themselves – and the satisfaction that goes with it – especially if you’re winning. Having fun inwardly and with your team mates should be part of the experience. But abusiveness, especially if you’re losing most of the time, is another thing entirely.
BTW, So, which is it? This is Carey’s 3rd year. Does he have 2 or 3 years left on a 5 or 6 year contract?
sadly, 6 yrs. clairvoyant article written last March,
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/3/25/22348173/how-temple-should-stand-as-a-warning-to-the-rest-of-the-aac-owls-rod-carey-football-coach-hiring
Mike, This is a great analysis, and agree with my teammate Brian Krulikowski, this should be the job description. I also sadly agree with him that this this entire Carey Scenario feels like a gut punch. We lived the Jerry Berndt years, which were not pretty, manipulative coaches, driven by their egos that attempted to cover up their own insecurities as men. It ruined the game for me. Vicariously it was revised through Al Golden and I was able to get behind Temple Football again along with the help of this blog. Whether or not anyone admits it or wants to acknowledge it, coaches like this create an environment that cause real emotional trauma. The university owes it to these young men and representatives of the school to act swiftly and kick Rod Carey to the curb. So much damage is already done, but it does not have to continue.
Please dig more into the story unfolding over Twitter with these kids! Thank you for your contributions to Temple Football through your writing. The pen is truly mightier than the sword.
Financial issues are one thing, but if this is a scenario where the environment and coach is flat out punishing kids and not providing the positive experience that college athletics should be about, screw the money and get this guy out of the building yesterday. I’m w/ Joe Wentzell. Losing and not enjoying the program is one thing (that we know is present), anything negative impacting the student athletes beyond that and Wingard, Johnson and the BoT needs to act. We know this coach can’t connect, seems like his staff follows suit. Either way those that get hurt the most–TU student athletes. End this regime Mr President.
C E SPEED
Players are abandoning this program faster than we can keep track. This guy has to go now.
Just saw on OwlsDaily another player left the team, senior DT Kevin Robertson. This is beyond ridiculous at this point. The Tulsa game needs to be the last for this HC. Would things be any worse for the Navy game if Infante and Preston Brown and any other non NIU members of the staff were the only coaches on the sidelines!!!
And now Mathis is gone.
What could they possibly be waiting for? Another week and they might not have any scholarship players to field a roster.
TU doesn’t get it. TUFB died when the BoT failed to secure a site for an OCS.
They gave John Street a token position on the BoT. Why? Cronyism stupid politics.
Instead, why not populate the BoT with TU activists?
ESPN 30 for 30 where are you?
Temple needs to find a way to buy Carey out in incremental, small payments, even if it goes on for a long time – at least they could afford it that way and get rid of this guy NOW. And NEVER offer another deal like that again. But, knowing how TU screws things up, they probably put it in his contract that he will get his 2 mil every year. Geesh, I hate how this whole deal was fumbled away – literally and figuratively. And now the basketball situation is looking like a disaster too!