Rhule gets four-year contract extension from Temple

It has been a big week for Temple football coach Matt Rhule. Last Friday, his wife, Julie, gave birth to their third child, Leona, and on Thursday he received a four-year contract extension.

Rhule, who had been signed through the 2017 season, had his contract extended through 2021. Terms of the extension, first reported by The Inquirer, were not disclosed.

"It's a great week, with a new daughter and now a new contract," Rhule said in a telephone interview. "I feel very gratified."

Rhule, 40, is entering his third season as head coach at Temple. The Owls went 2-10 in his first year and improved to 6-6 last season. Temple returns virtually every starter on defense, and the offense will be led by quarterback P.J. Walker, entering his third season as the starter. The Owls are expected to be a contender this season in the American Athletic Conference.

Rhule, who played football at Penn State, began his coaching career at Albright in 1998. He had stops at Buffalo (1999-2000), UCLA (2001), and Western Carolina (2005) before coming to Temple as an assistant in 2006.

Rhule was on the coaching staff for six seasons at Temple before he became an assistant offensive line coach with the New York Giants for one season. He returned to Temple in 2013.

According to Rhule, the extension will help in recruiting and also with the players already in the program.

"I think this sends a message to the recruits and the players we have competing in the program," Rhule said. "It shows that Temple is a place where my staff and I want to be."

Rhule said he was surprised when he was approached by the administration about a contract extension. "It wasn't something I was thinking of or something I expected," he said.

Rhule isn't afraid to have this program face high expectations. He said earlier in the spring that he would be disappointed if the Owls did not improve on last season and earn a bowl bid. Temple was bowl eligible last season but did not receive a bid.

Rhule still has the mind-set that he and Temple have much to prove.

"We haven't done what we have come to do," he said, referring to Temple's record the last two years. "We know there is still a lot of work to get done."

Temple will open its season at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 5, when the Owls host Penn State at Lincoln Financial Field.