Temple’s new football coach, K.C. Keeler, has built a staff. Here’s who will lead the Owls this season
With the Owls' coaching corps now complete, here’s a look at who will be tasked with turning the team into a bowl contender after four straight seasons finishing with a 3-9 record.
![New Temple coach K.C. Keeler has completed his football staff heading into the spring season and ahead of the second signing day period next month.](https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/v2/RJOHUZEBIZGPRJ33FYJORYI72A.jpg?auth=04c3d4faedb0b312139f7bae183be4e335045b7ff9d458999b32d68204920ea7&width=760&height=507&smart=true)
Earlier this week, new Temple football coach K.C. Keeler completed his coaching staff on both sides of the football.
Keeler brought in a mix of coaches to lead his position groups. He also created a general manager position to focus on player development and retention.
With Temple’s coaching corps now complete, here’s a look at who will be tasked with turning the Owls into a bowl contender after four straight 3-9 seasons:
Tyler Walker, offensive coordinator
Walker was the offensive coordinator at Montana State last year, which went 15-1 and reached the FCS national championship game. The Bobcats led the FCS in points per game (40.8), and quarterback Tommy Mellott threw 31 touchdown passes and won the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the FCS player of the year.
Temple struggled to effectively run the ball for much of Drayton’s head coaching tenure. Walker will be tasked with jump-starting the Owls ground game. The team landed running back Jay Ducker, Keeler’s top back at Sam Houston State last season, in the transfer portal.
» READ MORE: Temple added 14 new players to its spring football roster. Here are a few names who stand out.
Walker served as Montana State’s tight ends and fullbacks coach in 2023 before his promotion to offensive coordinator. He also has coached at Division III Muskingum in Ohio. This is his first time coaching in the FBS.
Brian Smith, defensive coordinator
Smith was hired by Keeler after leading American Athletic Conference rival Rice’s defense for the last seven seasons. In 2024, Rice held opponents to the fewest points and yards per game than it had since 2013.
Smith, the Eagles’ assistant linebackers coach in 2015, was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given to the best assistant coach in college football, after his unit allowed an 173.8 passing yards per game, good for eighth in the nation. Smith also previously was a quality control coach for the New York Jets, defensive backs coach for Michigan, and linebackers coach at Massachusetts.
Anticipate Temple operating a 3-4 defense in 2025 under Smith after losing multiple key contributors, including linebackers Tyquan King and D.J. Woodbury and defensive linemen Demerick Morris and Latrell Jean. The program has already landed multiple linebackers in the transfer portal, including Jayvant Brown from Kentucky.
Brian Ginn, special teams coordinator
Ginn was Keeler’s first hire as Temple coach and has followed him throughout his coaching career. Ginn coached with Keeler at Delaware, where he coached several positions, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. He also briefly served as the offensive coordinator.
Ginn has also spent time with the Chicago Bears as an offensive assistant and special teams assistant. He rejoined Keeler at Sam Houston State in 2022 as an offensive consultant — a position he held until following Keeler to Temple.
Ginn also was the Blue Hens’ starting quarterback and team captain during in 1999.
Clayton Barnes, general manager
Keeler hired Barnes as Temple’s first general manager to build and maintain the roster through player acquisition, including scouting, recruiting, and player retention.
Barnes served in the same role under Keeler at Sam Houston State after originally serving as the director of football operations and player personnel. He also was an offensive graduate assistant coach at Georgia Southern and director of player development at Texas State.
“It was very important for me to bring Clayton to Temple,” Keeler said. “He was a big reason for the success we had at Sam Houston. He’s already hit the ground running here at Temple. We agree on the type of student-athletes it takes to build a successful program.”
» READ MORE: Temple football has a new general manager. Here’s what to know about Clayton Barnes