Steve Addazio leaves void at Temple; becomes Boston College coach

Temple coach Steve Addazio resigned on Tuesday to take the head coaching job at Boston College. Addazio, a former offensive coordinator at Florida, went 13-11 in his two seasons at Temple.

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As Louisville coach Charlie Strong and Cincinnati coach Butch Jones emerged as leading candidates for several highly coveted vacancies, it came as a mild surprise that neither became the first coach from the Big East this week to accept a new head coaching position.

The honor instead went to former Temple head coach Steve Addazio who left the program on Tuesday to become the head coach at Boston College. In two seasons with the Owls, Addazio went 13-11 including, 2-5 in the Big East this season.

“Steve has done a tremendous job with Temple football in his two years at the university, and we wish him nothing but the best," Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw said. "Temple football has never been stronger, and I am confident we will be able to attract a high-level pool of candidates for the position.”

In 2011, the Owls ended the season with a 37-15 win over Wyoming in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. It marked the first time Temple had won a bowl game in 32 years. Temple opened the Big East schedule this season 2-0 with victories over South Florida and Connecticut. In mid-November, the Owls snapped a four-game losing streak with a 63-32 win over Army. In the victory, RB Montel Harris rushed for a Big East-record 351 yards and seven touchdowns.

Before leaving the Mid-American Conference at the start of the season, Temple’s 2012 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the league by Rivals.com. Addazio’s strong ties to the New England area could serve him well in Chestnut Hill. In 1984, Addazio started his coaching career under current UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni at Western Connecticut State. On two occasions in the 1990s, Addazio’s teams at Cheshire High School (Conn.) were nationally ranked.

“He genuinely cares about his students and will facilitate their formation and development in meaningful ways that creates a family culture extending into the entire BC community,” Boston College AD Brad Bates said. “He has a passion that is contagious and an energy that will motivate those fortunate to meet him.”

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