Penn State will face a variety of head coaches this season, some that they are familiar with and some they may never have faced before or even heard of. After facing one of the FBS's least experienced head coaches, they will now face the winningest active head coach in the FBS.
Here is more about Temple head coach K.C. Keeler.
K.C. Keeler, Temple Head Coach
- Overall record: 277-119-2
- Record against Penn State : N/A
- Record against ranked teams: 0-5
- Record against Big Ten: 0-1
While Tony Gibson is only in his second year with Marshall and had never held a head coaching job before earning the position, Keeler has a lot of history. As the winningest head coach in the FBS today though, a little context is required. For over 30 years, Keeler dominated at the FCS level, most famously with his alma mater, the University of Delaware. Having played there as a linebacker, he led them to one of the most prolific
periods in their history, winning the 2003 FCS championship.
Keeler grew famous for revamping the Delaware offense, adopting a no-huddle, spread offense. Most famously, he coached eventual Super Bowl-winning QB Joe Flacco, who led the team to the 2027 FCS championship game. He finished his 11-year tenure with the Blue Hens with an astounding 86-52 record.
It's one thing to create FCS history with one team. It's quite another when that success transfers to another program. In 2014, he took over the Sam Houston State Bearkats and immediately took them to the FCS playoff semifinals in his first two seasons. In 2016, he won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award for leading the Bearkats to an undefeated season.
However, what sealed his FCS coaching legend status was the COVID-shortened 2020 season, where he led the Bearkats to a 10-0 record and became the first-ever head coach to lead two different FCS programs to titles. He also passed the legendary Jim Tressell in FCS playoff victories, with 25 wins.
Now, after taking over Temple last year, he has Owls fans dreaming again after immediately getting them within one game of bowl eligibility last season. This will be his toughest test to date, but the Pennsylvania native is still a natural born winner.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: A quick glance at Temple head coach K.C. Keeler
