Ed Foley takes over as Temple's interim coach

Ed Foley knows the drill and that was a main reason he was named by athletic director Patrick Kraft to be the interim football coach at Temple after Matt Rhule accepted the head coaching position at Baylor on Tuesday.

A Cherry Hill East graduate, Foley, 49, will guide the Owls in the Military Bowl against Wake Forest on Dec. 27 in Annapolis, Md. No. 23 Temple (10-3) has won seven consecutive games. The Owls can set a single-season school record for wins with one in the bowl game.

Foley is in his ninth season at Temple. He was the Owls' assistant head coach who also coached the tight ends and special teams. Foley was on the staff when Al Golden left for Miami and when Steve Addazio departed for Boston College.

"I think it is a matter of endurance," Foley said in a telephone interview Tuesday evening. "I have been through two of these changes already."

Foley has head coaching experience, serving two seasons at Fordham, 2004 and 2005.

Earlier in the day, Kraft was asked if Foley would be considered for the job and he said, "We will consider everybody."

When asked if he would like to be the permanent head coach, Foley said he would do what is best for the program.

"I really haven't had time to think about it," he said. "I will leave that up to Pat, and if he wants me to I know I can do the job."

Foley said he talked to Rhule twice Tuesday, simply because he wants to know which assistant coaches might be going to Baylor.

"Right now it's all up in the air in the next 24 hours," Foley said.

He also said that the coaches would continue to recruit. Foley mentioned that when Addazio left, Temple was recruiting quarterback Phillip Walker, running back Jahad Thomas, and linebacker Jarred Alwan. The three have become key players for the Owls.

Foley said he was happy for Rhule and looking forward to this challenge.

"I am excited to be the coach on the field when we become the best Temple team," he said.