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.

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.

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.