"Al has always been an outstanding defensive football coach, and I think he will be successful as a head coach. I also know that he is an excellent recruiter and a very good man. Temple is fortunate to have a person--and a coach--of his caliber leading its program." Bill Parcells

"Al's a very aggressive, bright guy and a tireless worker. If anybody can get it done at Temple, Al can get it done. He may need a little time, he's got some people there that may not appreciate the discipline needed... Al will get it done." Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno

Golden in Action

Al Golden, who has 12 postseason bowl games on his resume, is in his second season as head football coach at Temple University. The Colts Neck, N.J. native was named the Owls' 24th head football coach on December 6, 2005 after spending the prior five seasons as defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia. The 37-year old Golden is the fourth-youngest head coach in college football's bowl subdivision.

In his first campaign in Owl Country, Golden played 22 true freshmen, the most in the nation, against the third most difficult schedule in the country. Only national champion Florida (10) and Stanford (9) played more bowl participants during the regular season than the Owls, who competed against eight teams that earned postseason berths. Thirty-eight players saw their first major college football action under Golden in 2006, including 27 total freshmen.

Golden captured his first victory at the helm when the Owls defeated Bowling Green, 28-14, at Lincoln Financial Field. The win was the largest accomplishment for the Owls on the field, but a multitude of goals were achieved off the field during Golden's initial campaign. Temple unveiled the most comprehensive academic support team in the Mid-American Conference and teamed with Adidas as the team's official outfitter. The program was also successful in assembling a regional, non-conference schedule for years to come. Recruiting has also been a tremendous success under Golden's leadership. His initial signing class in 2006 was rated best in the MAC by CollegeFootballNews.com and the 2007 class earned top honors in the league from Scout.com.

With a commitment to community service and academics at the core of Golden's program, a multitude of individual honors were bestowed upon the Owls in 2006. Seven student-athletes were named to the 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team, providing Temple the most honorees of the 10 Delaware Valley institutions that sponsor football. Three players were named to the 2006 Eastern College Athletic Conference Division I-A Football All Star Team, marking the most for the Owls on the ECAC squad since a trio also earned recognition in 1997. In addition, three football student-athletes were named honorable mention freshman All-Americans by The Sporting News. It signaled the largest number of rookies to receive national recognition in program history.

Golden was named the youngest defensive coordinator in Division I-A by Virginia head coach Al Groh in January 2001 after spending the previous season at his alma mater, serving as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator under Joe Paterno. From 2001 to 2004, the Cavaliers' defense improved under his tutelage, ranking 108th in total defense in his first year to ranking 18th in total defense in 2004. In the same time period, Virginia's scoring defense went from 74th in the nation (27.6 ppg) to 17th (17.7 ppg) utilizing Golden's 3-4 scheme.

In addition to his responsibilities as defensive coordinator, Golden directed the inside linebackers from 2001-04 before shifting to the secondary in 2005. In 2004, he oversaw a defense that featured the nation's best group of linebackers, according to Athlon, The Sporting News, and ESPN The Magazine. Under his guidance, Ahmad Brooks blossomed into a finalist for the Butkus Award. In 2003, Brooks and Kai Parham earned Freshman All-America honors. Golden was responsible for recruiting Brooks, the USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year--the highest ranked recruit to ever attend UVA. Golden signed the Virginia High School Player of the Year in both 2002 (Brooks) and 2004 (Olu Hall).

During his first two seasons at Virginia, Golden helped develop two-time All-ACC linebacker Angelo Crowell, who currently plays with the Buffalo Bills, and 2003 Hula Bowl participant Merrill Robertson. Following the 2001 season, Golden was an assistant coach for the Gray team in the 64th Annual Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic.

Golden began his coaching career in 1993 as offensive coordinator at Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic High School. He then served as a graduate assistant under George Welsh at Virginia from 1994 to 1996, where he worked primarily with the linebackers and the kickoff and punting teams. He helped develop All-ACC linebackers James Farrior and Jamie Sharper, both of whom were chosen in the 1997 NFL draft. Farrior was a first-round pick (#8) by the New York Jets, while Sharper was a second-round selection (#34) by the Baltimore Ravens. Golden then coached the linebackers at Boston College from 1997 to 1999 under Tom O'Brien. While at BC, Golden coached All-Big East and NFL linebackers Frank Chamberlin (Tennessee Titans) and Erik Storz (Jacksonville Jaguars). The Eagles finished the 1999 regular season with an 8-3 record and a top-25 national ranking, while making their first postseason bowl appearance since 1994.

Golden was a three-year (1989-91) letterwinner and two-year starter at tight end for Penn State, where he received the 1991 Ridge Riley Award, given annually to a player who displays excellence in scholarship, sportsmanship, friendship and leadership. As a junior in 1990, Golden played a key role in Penn State's nationally-televised 24-21 upset of No. 1-ranked Notre Dame at South Bend. His touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter tied the score at 21 as Penn State rallied from a 21-7 deficit. Golden captained the Nittany Lions his senior year and helped lead them to a 42-17 win over Tennessee in the 1992 Fiesta Bowl. Following that victory, Penn State finished with an 11-2 record and ranked third in the nation in the final 1991 AP poll.

After his tenure as a player in State College, Golden spent one season in the NFL with the New England Patriots.

Golden, born July 4, 1969, earned his undergraduate degree in pre-law from Penn State in 1991 before receiving his master's in sports psychology from Virginia in December, 1996. A 2004 inductee of the Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame, he is married to the former Kelly Elizabeth Hanna of Lock Haven, Pa. The couple has a two year-old son named AJ (7/15/05) and a daughter named Addison (11/7/06).

THE GOLDEN FILE

Year Coaching: 15th

College: Penn State '91 B.A. Pre-Law; Virginia '96 M.S. Sports Psychology

High School: Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic

COACHING

Temple

2007 - Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

2006 - Head Coach

Virginia

2005 - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

2001-04 - Def. Coord./Inside Linebackers

1994-96 - Graduate Assistant

Penn State

2000 - Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator

Boston College

1999 - Linebackers

1997-98 - Outside Linebackers

Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic HS

1993 - Offensive Coordinator

PLAYING

New England Patriots

1992 - Tight End

Penn State

1987-91 - Tight End

BOWL EXPERIENCE

As a coach (8): 2005 Music City Bowl; 2004 MPC Computers Bowl; 2003 Continental Tire Bowl; 2002 Continental Tire Bowl; 1999 Insight.com Bowl; 1996 Carquest Bowl; 1995 Peach Bowl; 1994 Independence Bowl

As a player (4): 1992 Fiesta Bowl; 1990 Blockbuster Bowl; 1989 Holiday Bowl; 1988 Citrus Bowl