Temple University in Philadelphia hired Sam Houston State coach K.C. Keeler as its new football coach on Sunday in the Owls' latest attempt to turn back into a winning program.

K.C. Keeler, who spearheaded Sam Houston State's transition from FCS to FBS, and led the Bearkats' program to a 9-3 finish this season, has been hired as Temple's coach, replacing Stan Drayton, who was fired in November after three seasons with the Owls.

Now Keeler, who brings a career mark of 271-112-1 to North Broad, will become Temple’s 18th football coach after going 97-39 in 10 seasons at Sam Houston State. He will lead an Owls program that has finished 3-9 in each of the last four seasons, and will succeed Stan Drayton, who was fired on Nov. 17. Temple’s last winning season came in 2019.