Temple names Golden new football coach

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Virginia defensive coordinator Al Golden was named the new Temple football coach on Tuesday, ending a search that began two months ago when Bobby Wallace said he wouldn&#39;t return to the school.<br> <br> The 36-year-old Golden has a difficult task trying to turn around decades of futility. Temple went 0-11 this year, its first winless season on the field since 1959.<br> <br> Temple was 19-71 during Wallace&#39;s eight years as coach, and was booted out of the Big East Conference.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m excited about leading this program as we transition into the Mid-American Conference,&#39;&#39; Golden said. ``I&#39;m confident in the commitment to excellence that currently exists at Temple University. We have the best university, the best city and the best facilities in the MAC. The future looks bright on North Broad Street.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Owls are stuck with an independent schedule with no true conference affiliation for another season before joining the Mid-American Conference as a full football member in 2007.<br> <br> Golden was 31 when he be was hired by Virginia as the youngest defensive coordinator in the nation in 2001 after spending the previous season at his alma mater, Penn State.<br> <br> Temple&#39;s last winning season was 1990 and the Owls haven&#39;t played a bowl game since 1979. The Owls forfeited six wins in 1986 due to the use of ineligible players.<br> <br> ``With Al Golden, we now have the final piece in place for the rebuilding of the Temple football program,&#39;&#39; Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw said. ``We are looking forward to providing our alums and Philadelphia college football fans a bright and promising future the Golden Era of Temple Football.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Golden was the linebackers coach at Boston College for three seasons (1997-99), before joining Joe Paterno&#39;s staff at Penn State. He served as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator under Paterno in 2000.<br> <br> He played three years (1989-91) at Penn State, starting for two seasons at tight end.<br> <br> ``Al Golden is a very engaging, energetic coach,&#39;&#39; Virginia coach Al Groh said. ``He has contributed a great deal to our program which hopefully gives him a good model on how to do things right. His coming to Temple is a real plus for the Owl program.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)