Temple to hire Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins as head coach

The Temple Owls will hire Florida Gators defensive coordinator Geoff Collins are their next head coach, FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman confirms.

Collins, who has been with Florida the past two seasons, has no collegiate head-coaching experience but the Gators' defense has ranked in the top 10 nationally in each of the past two years. He also has served as a defensive coordinator for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Florida International Panthers.

Collins takes over for Matt Rhule, who led Temple to a 10-3 record this past season before leaving last week to become head coach of the Baylor Bears. Rhule went 28-23 in four seasons with the Owls, including 20-7 the past two years.

Temple finished the regular season at No. 24 in the College Football Playoffs rankings and will face Wake Forest in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27.