Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to be named head coach at Temple

Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins will be named Temple’s new head coach, according to a report by ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.

Collins will be replacing Matt Rhule, who was hired as Baylor’s head coach last week. He will also be the fourth consecutive coach hired to lead the Owls with no previous head coaching experience. Rhule is a defensive coach like Collins, and was the first coach to post back-to-back ten win seasons at Temple.

Collins came to Florida two years ago with Jim McElwain. His Gator defenses ranked sixth (2015) and seventh (2016) nationally in total defense and helped lead Florida to consecutive SEC East titles. Prior to his time at Florida, Collins spent four years at Mississippi State and a year at Florida International as a defensive coordinator.

Jim McElwain spoke about the prospect of Collins becoming a head coach during a media session for the Outback Bowl last week:

"They're going to get a guy that motivates players. A guy that really understands the game and understands both sides of the ball, not just the defensive side. He's done a great job of studying the offensive side and the things that it takes there. A relentless, competitive recruiter, and a guy that's now been around at some places to see how he can establish his own kinds of ways of doing things."

UF has not yet confirmed the coaching change. Jim McElwain has a press conference scheduled for 11:30 a.m. this morning.