Last donations: William B., Phoenixville (12/9/25, thanks William, our first contribution since Oct.) Ed S., New Hope, and Joe S., Drexel Hill thanks to both Ed and Joe; David N., Silver Spring, Md. 10/10/25 (thanks so much, Dave) Brian C., North Philly 9/27/25 ; John from Landenberg (who we sat next to when Temple beat Maryland, 38-7) at the game today 9/6/25 (thanks, John); Jon E., Cincinnati (8/30/25), thanks, Jon; David K., Glen Mills, 8/25/25; Eric B., San Diego 8/23/25; Jay M., Salem Ore. 8/15/25 (proving that Temple Owls are everywhere. Thanks, Jay). Another anonymous donation from the same source (thanks a bunch), 8/10/2025; Anonymous (your generosity is greatly appreciated, much thanks) and Joe F., Nashville, Tenn,, 8/5//25 (thanks, Joe, our first contribution in over a month); Steve B., Rose Valley, Pa., a Temple fan (thanks, Steve, that goes in the pot for a backup laptop if this one goes down Only $300 away), 7/6/25:
Earlier:
6/15/25 (Ed S., New Hope–thanks Ed!!!)
Earlier:
Michael A., Havertown, PA (thanks, Mike); 5/14/25 Anoymous (thanks, much appreciated) 4/25/25, David B., Delaware (owner of the most photogenic dog on the internet and someone who I and the late Phil M. had a great conversation with at the 2012 UConn game… can’t believe how time flies, thanks, Dave!!! will definitely meet up again at the next Temple at Delaware game); Matt P. (former Temple player under Al Golden), 4/21/2025 (thanks, Matt, could not have come at a better time because we have a bill for this site coming 4/30 and did not know how we were going to pay it); Brian, Philadelphia (thanks, Brian for being a long-time reader, sorry I missed you at C&W this year) 4/15/25; Ed S., New Hope, PA (4/6/25; thanks Ed, our first donation in nearly two months);
2/8/25: Anonymous.
Robert G., Quakertown, 12/17/24 and Joe F., Philadelphia, 12/16/24.. thanks for taking some of the sting out of paying to fix this laptop. Much appreciated.
Others:
Brian C., Philadelphia.
Anonymous, Anywhere USA (thanks for the generous donation), 9/2/24; David B., Delaware (8/24/24), thanks, David!) Ed P., Yardley, Pa. (6/20/24) …. thanks, Ed!!
David E., Philadelphia, Pa., 6/19/24 (thanks David); Zamani F., Philadelphia, Pa. June 7 (thanks, Z) Michael A., Havertown, Pa, May 9; John J., South Bloomingville, Ohio May 5; Hill Studios, Paulsboro, N.J. (thanks for breaking the longest time between contributions in TFF history), May 1, 2024 (the three May contributions will keep us afloat through the summer, thanks, Mike, John and Hill Studios it’s great to know people care); Jon E., Cincinnati, 10/11/23 (thanks, Jon); John from Landenburg at the Miami game (in the parking lot no less), 9/23/23. Thanks, John. Great conversation as always.
Two donations on opening day against Akron, one at the game from Ed of Perkasie and one from the greatest punter in Temple history, Eddie L., of the same hometown of Bruce Springsteen (our first contributions since April and they keep this site going; much appreciated); 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 
Hopefully this is Stan’s last year and Temple needs to go get Elijah Robinson and open the books.. He would instantly get the program back on track with recruiting and his staff would be top notch too… This guy we have isn’t it on any level…. We need people that understand and can relate to the area…
Missing out on Fran Brown is the direct result of having carpetbaggers in charge at Temple. Bill Bradshaw, a Philly guy who hired both Al Golden and Matt Rhule, would have listened to what the players had to say about Brown. Johnson wanted to hire his Texas pal and Kraft wanted to hire his fellow Indiana grad. Brown would have continued the Rhule legacy and he should have been hired after Daz.
Mike
In 2012, Savanah St travelled to FSU and being newcomers to the FBS, were installed at 701/2 point dogs. That looks to still be the largest point spread in NCAA history. Although the Tigers were destroyed by Oklahoma the week before…..84-0…..they covered the spread, losing to FSU 64-6.
I am beginning to believe that the Owls can challenge that record. Not saying they will be 70 point dogs to Oklahoma in August, but would bet on their side if they were.
I know guys like Maalik Murphy are well out of Temple’s money range but seeing Sluka still in the portal, a guy who can make plays with his feet, get away from a rush and hit a guy like Dante Wright on the run, is maddening. Simon can do none of that. If Sluka is still in the portal today, there’s a good chance Temple can get him by offering him a real shot at the starting job. Plus, there must be several other Sluka types at other positions that are upgrades over JUCOS. Ugh.
Mike, get your point regarding the levels of talent in college football. I’m looking at these JUCO recruits in a kind of glass half empty, glass half full mode. On the glass half full side with regards to the O-line recruits, I feel that Wiesehan is one of the better coaches on this staff and if he is recruiting these guys I figure he sees something there. Plus with young guys like Jackson and Watson getting playing time last year along with Barajas and Smith returning think O-line could start to stabilize next season. Also, any information on Faminu for 2024? While not ideal I do think a limited number of JUCO transfers can work at the current AAC level.
On the glass half empty side Drayton seems to setting the bar very low with regards to transfers in. Maybe they are reaching out to them and no interest in coming to TU but why isn’t Drayton going after 4 star QB Murphy, Goram-Welch a 3 star O-lineman or 4 star safety Catalon all in the portal from Texas. So far Drayton’s overall recruiting and gameday performance just indicates to me he is on over his head and is not a guy to build a program.
I’m not even sure Chris is recruiting these guys because the Chief of Staff (Marcus Berry) came on the last Stan Drayton radio show and said, “We have a plan and it’s a great plan.” We now know what that plan was: JUCO. I would have gone heavy FCS established producers and starters, light on JUCOs, and maybe grab 1-5 heavily recruited P5 guys stuck behind starters in very good conferences. Temple’s been down this JUCO road before it resulted in hitting a tree and almost totaling the program.
Didn’t know that which I have to say is concerning. But then again Wiesehan is one of the few members of the staff with prior Temple ties and has familiarity with the northeast so wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t getting a chance to give much input, especially with the way Drayton singled him out this past season. Really believe TUFB is getting to Bobby Wallace levels and another Adamany type “vote”. Don’t think the lease cost of the Linc is going to be an issue much longer
I’m feeling the same way.
TUFB gets one Diamond HC every decade. Hardin in 70s, Arians in 80s, Oops in 90s, AG in 2000s, MR in 2010s.
Back to back 3-9 seasons and one of the least talented teams in the conference going into 2024, Drayton is not the next Diamond HC. Those are the facts and we need to move on.
Hopefully the new Uni Pres will have the measure of success firmly established in his mind. We desperately need the next Diamond HC in 2025 or we’ll have another Oops decade.
Agree with your assessment of Drayton. At best I think a 6 win season is his ceiling and really don’t see that anytime soon. Going to be watching Syracuse and see if Brown could have been that Diamond HC for the 2020s, sure looks better recruiting
falling further and further behind the herd
Falling behind in so many ways. When we spent $10 for the addition to the E-O, our facilities were ahead of almost every other G5 (and I’ve been to the BC facility and I know the E-O is better than at least that P5 one). We had a stadium planned and if we built it, nobody would be talking about dropping football. Now two bad coaching hires and it’s at least on the table. On top of that, two horrific recruiting classes in a row. Last year, we SHOULD have bulked up the lines and running back and MAYBE we wouldn’t be looking so hard for a quarterback now. This year do you see one AAC championship RB or QB on this roster? I don’t.
Jury is still out on Smith, hopefully he develops into a good back, but this team is in no position to wait next season. I like Hubbard a #2 back and if the team could get that #1 back do feel we could establish a decent running game. I sure don’t see an AAC championship caliber DC on the staff and Drayton’s inaction on that front unfortunately tell me all I need to know about the future of this coaching regime.
I understand what you’re saying about a stadium, but I graduated in ’79 and the same tune about an OCS was being sung back then. If the story about the Liacouras Center potentially being built as both a BB/FB facility, ala the Carrier Dome, that was probably the last best chance. As was the case back then, the will to play the necessary politics in Philly just isn’t there.
Ten years ago if he didn’t have the best football facility in the AAC we had one of the best. Time has stood still since then:
It just dawned on me. How many programs have a QB whose father is an NFL Hall of Fame QB? And the son leaves the program…, the HOF QB knows everything and everybody. He knows what we will soon learn, dead program walking. It’s not that EJ is going to Georgia.., he’s leaving before the crash into the iceberg. We have been blinded by false hope, and loyalty to our alma mater.
Thursday I’m going to see TUBB play Nevada in Honolulu. I’m also going to tell the Coach Fish he is the future of Temple Athletics.
The AAC won’t have a problem replacing TUFB. The post mortem will be all over the place and newsworthy 12 months from now. Temple vs Oklahoma will put all the pieces in place. Declining enrollment, budget constraints, Philly politics, student apathy, lack of winning tradition, clueless AD, NIL, portal, etc., etc.,
A sad but true story indeed and unbelievably there are outlets that cover Temple that turn a blind eye to it and some I dare say will be praising Drayton for this recruiting class on Wednesday and Thursday. Hmm. Watch out for catch phrases like “I wouldn’t say it was a bad thing Simon signed with Temple” or “every JUCO has his own story.” Who know who has better stories? FCS All-Americans who have run for over 1,000 yards and have 20+ touchdowns and FCS starting QBs who have 58 career TD passes. I’ll take a couple of Division II All-American pass rushers. I think their stories might be better. I’d love to hear them.
An interesting perspective regarding Kurt Warner and his football contacts. Never thought of that but it does make perfect sense. Wonder “dead program walking” is another reason Drayton is going the Bobby Wallace route, heavy on the JUCOs. 1 to 2 years and they are done here. Either that or Drayton is such a bad recruiter he can’t even get top FCS player to come to TUFB. Either way not a good sign for the future of this program.
Time for some facts here : Temple and a few other east coast schools are no longer the traditional ‘all american society’ environments. Temple is captive to several strong minded influence groups, none of which give a shit about ‘traditional american values ‘, including football. which they see as a continuing evil.
Can’t have it both ways, can we.
Saw the Varner has hit the transfer portal at Wisconsin. Have to think another All-AAC year with TUFB would have helped his draft prospects more than sitting on the bench for a year with the Badgers. Similar to Roche.
Since this is his second transfer doe he need to go to an FCS school to play in 2024?
He can come back to us since he’s a grad transfer. I hope he does. We really missed him. Hell, I’d take Dwan back at this point over Simon.
Would be nice if he did and maybe get a “real” DC who can take advantage of the talent that is still there on defense
Sad to think that the DC in place now may be the reason defensive players aren’t showing up on N Broad. Word may be out that it’s a bad situation in regard to coaching schemes that don’t allow a player to show out and build a video resume.
Point well taken, today’s kids are savvy (sometimes almost too savvy for their own good).
Withers has bad history that can’t be magically erased. Players know his history. And, who has Withers personally recruited into the program? He can’t recruit and his history says he can’t coach. You are what your record says you are.
Good point. Look at Layton Jordan and Jalen McMurray on this year’s defense. In 2022 Jordan was all over the field, scored 3 defensive TD’s and I believe was all AAC. This year disappeared. McMurray looked to be the next TU defensive back with definite pro potential, this year regression.
I think Magee and Rigby had one more year of eligibility left and I have to think if both had the kind of season they are capable of in 2024 their pro prospects would have trended upwards. Both decided to take their shot this year.
So id Drayton has improved the morale on the team as some assert and is much more of a players coach then Carey was I can only look to the DC in this case. If he isn’t gone 1/1/2024 and replaced with a competent DC, kind of indicates o me that Drayton is just playing out the string here and will be a RB coach again in 2-3 years. And don’t think that is because he will be fired by TU
Irony is gleaming.., Rice QB medically retired from football, too many hard hits. Incoming QB departs TUFB, too many hard hits.
Not. That is what they want you to believe. The lateral move is a stunning statement on the future of TUFB.
50/50 shot A.J. Padgett beats E.J. out for the starting job and E.J. uses his final transfer (graduate) to get on the field again at another G5 school.
Mike, I would put my $$$ on that bet. I really don’t think EJ takes the starting job away from Padgett, especially if Padgett has another good bowl game. Does make me wonder about transferring if that was the best offer Warner could get
That is the point. EJ didn’t leave to go some where, he left to get away.
KJ, I have to say your posts in this thread have really got me looking at the TUFB situation with a different perspective. The current recruiting “plan” whether successful or not and history indicates not, seems really geared for the short term. Almost like Drayton is building a roster that will consist of guys with 1 or 2 years eligibility. Something that could be shut down quickly without 70-80 players scrambling to find landing spots. Next thing I’m keeping an eye on is what is done with the Linc lease after 2024. If the admin extends for the same timeframe as Drayton contract or a year by year extension to me that just nails it that the end of TUFB is near
Bingo. Short and truthful.
Boom. He saw how incompetent Withers was and that Stan was in love with the guy and he saw how lousy recruiting from LAST YEAR forced his blindside to be protected by a true freshman from Delaware who tried his best but was not at the strength level needed to protect a franchise quarterback. Mom and Dad were extremely mad after the UTSA game when EJ called them on Sunday morning with a headache and they told him to get to the trainer STAT. From there, it was how fast can we get out of here.