An open letter to K.C. Keeler:

Dear K.C.,

First of let me congratulate you on getting the job.

You were on my “wish list” for Temple head coaches. For the record, not the first, but certainly high up there.

I’m not here to give you any recommendations on the football side. You’ve got that part locked up.

The Temple side, to me, and a lot of fans, is just as important. Getting a lay of the land and the Edberg-Olson facility, the people and the traditions of Temple, are nearly as important.

One, the people:

Getting to know and love Nadia Harvin, your administrative assistant, who has been with every coach since Bruce Arians. She’s a legend. She’s in the Temple Hall of Fame. Pick up the phone and call Bruce and ask about Nadia. Pick up the phone and call Matt Rhule. Pick up the phone and call Geoff Collins.

Also, it might not hurt to call the people who might have hurt you back in 1979 if you get a chance. Mike Curcio, who, like you, was a linebacker in the 1979 Temple-Delaware game, would be a good start. Like you, Mike Curcio played with the Philadelphia Eagles for awhile. Steve Conjar, the all-time leading tackler who played in that same 1979 game, also hosts the biggest tailgate in Lot K.

As far as the players, I would make a special effort to keep quarterback Evan Simon and running back Torrez Worthy. Simon, who said last week “I love Temple” probably needs only someone important to tell him they love him. I will say this: He’s got the most moxie I’ve seen in a Temple quarterback since Adam DiMichele. He knows how to get rid of the ball and when to get rid of it. Watch his tape vs. Utah State. Kid made 10 great throws under hellacious pressure, five for touchdowns, to win the game 45-29.

Dave Gerson, from a younger generation, is also a Temple treasure. Get to know him. No greater Temple fan. Nobody loves Temple football more. Nobody will be able to introduce you to people who love Temple quicker than Dave.

Two, the coaches:

I know you know Adam Scheier. To me, he’s one of the best special teams coaches in the country. I would keep him. The kids love him and the Temple special teams have been one of the few highlights over the last three seasons.

Chris Wiesehan, the offensive line coach, had great offensive lines under Rhule and Geoff Collins. He didn’t have a great offensive line under Stan Drayton but, like Bill Parcells used to say, he didn’t shop for the groceries under Drayton. Stan got him Aldi’s stuff. Rhule and Collins took him to Whole Foods.

Please stay away from Everett Withers and Danny Langsdorf.

Three, the traditions:

The “tradition” at Temple is that, after every Temple win, the team stands and sings the Alma Mater respectfully and then goes crazy singing “T for Temple U.” For reasons only Drayton knows, they stood respectfully with the band and sung the Alma Mater but broke ranks and went to the locker room before “T for Temple U.” That’s a no-no. “T for Temple U” is the main course. The Alma Mater is the appetizer.

Single Digit

The single digit tradition has been disrespected for at least the last three years, maybe more. Too many single digit Owls have left for other schools, causing something like this to happen when another team’s game is broadcast: “You know he’s tough because, when he was at Temple, he was a single digit.” That makes every Temple fan ill. You know the cure: No more single digits until your last year of eligibility at Temple.

Four, bring back the running game via the fullback:

In the 1979 Temple-Delaware game, the best player was fullback Mark Bright, from William Tennent High. The Temple tradition has always been to establish the running game with a fullback, then make explosive downfield plays in the passing game off play-action. The Hallmark of the last five years 1-6, 3-9, 3-9, 3-9 and 3-9 has been no running game. The reason is that all of those recent coaches have tried to establish a short-passing game first. All that has done is make Temple one of the worst rushing teams in the country and keep its defense on the field.

Five, The Community:

I don’t have to tell you that the Philadelphia Catholic League is the best high school football league in the country. People like Rich Gannon (St. Joe’s Prep, Delaware, NFL MVP), Frank Wycheck, Al Atkinson, Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti, Anthony Becht, the Pawlowski twins (Ken and Jim), Marvin Harrison Jr., John Runyon Jr., D’Andre Swift, etc. all played in the Catholic League. Hire someone like Father Judge’s Frank McArdle to keep that pipleline alive.

OK, I lied.

Maybe the coaches part and the running game part came under the substance of a football subject.

Everything else is solid advice.

Good luck, and welcome home.

Mike Gibson

Editor and Publisher, Temple Football Forever

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