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10 best college football coaching hires

By John Buhler

Dec 13, 2016; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the media at FAU Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the media at FAU Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive coordinator Geoff Collins talks with the defense against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive coordinator Geoff Collins talks with the defense against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Temple Owls is not a marquee head coaching gig, but Matt Rhule did a remarkable job with this AAC program before taking a Power 5 gig with the Baylor Bears. Temple seems to be one of the better Group of 5 programs in the College Football Playoff era. The Owls made a great hire in getting former Florida Gators defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to be Rhule’s replacement.

Collins has been a solid defensive coordinator in the SEC since 2013. He was with Dan Mullen at Mississippi State from 2013 to 2014 before joining Jim McElwain’s Florida staff in 2015. While he is a defensive-minded coach, he has worked under two great offensive minds in Mullen and McElwain, two of the strongest branches in the Urban Meyer and Nick Saban coaching trees, respectively.

A strong defensive culture will work at Temple. Pennsylvania tends to have a lot of talented high school prospects that play on that side of the ball. With Temple being a great AAC program, this could be a great match for Collins in his first opportunity as a head coach.

Recruiting might be a tad difficult for Collins initially, as he spent the last four seasons in the SEC. However, he could have some connections from that talent-rich part of the country he could pry and get them to play in Philadelphia at Temple for the Owls. Keep an eye on this hire. It may take Collins a few years, but his upside as a head coach is promising.

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