Temple University Athletics
Keeler Introduces His New Offensive Staff
1.21.25 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Temple Football head coach K.C. Keeler today introduced his new offensive staff. Tyler Walker will be the offensive coordinator and coach the quarterbacks. He will be joined by offensive line coach Al Johnson, running backs coach Andrew Pierce, wide receivers coach Roy Roundtree, and tight ends coach Chris Zarkoskie.
Walker and Johnson come to Temple fresh off an FCS Championship game appearance. The duo helped orchestrate a Montana State offense that led the FCS in points per game (40.8), total yards (478.4 ypg), and rushing yards (294.8 ypg), while completing a 15-1 record. Senior quarterback Tommy Mellott, the Walter Payton Award winner as the FCS player of the year, threw for 31 touchdowns and was one of three players to rush for 1,100+ yards and 14+ scores.
Tyler Walker, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
In just his first season as offensive coordinator at MSU, Walker orchestrated an offense that led the FCS in points per game (40.8), total yards (478.4 ypg), and rushing yards (294.8 ypg), while completing a 15-1 record. Senior quarterback Tommy Mellott, the Walter Payton Award winner as the FCS player of the year, threw for 31 touchdowns and was one of three players to rush for 1,100+ yards and 14+ scores.
Walker was elevated to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach prior to the 2024 season. In 2023, he completed his second season coaching Montana State's tight ends and fullbacks, producing one of the most dynamic and accomplished position groups in the FCS. Seniors Derryk Snell - at fullback - and Treyton Pickering - tight end - each earned first team All-Big Sky honors, with Snell snagging first team All-America honors from Phil Steele. Before joining the coaching ranks Walker spent 2021 as the program's Director of Football Recruiting.
He arrived at MSU after two years at Division III Muskingum (Ohio) University, where he worked as defensive coordinator in 2019 and special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach in 2018. He was receivers coach/pass game coordinator at Grand Rapids (Michigan) Central Catholic High School in 2017, helping the team to a 14-0 record and Division 4 State Championship. In 2016 Walker was the receivers coach and pass game co-coordinator at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, and was a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) working with receivers in 2014 and the defensive line in 2015.
Walker played at Bethel University in Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. He transferred to Miami (Ohio), where he earned a bachelor's degree in special education in 2014. He and his wife, Aimee, have two children, daughter, Aspen, and son, Lincoln.
Al Johnson, Offensive Line
Johnson spent two seasons at MSU and produced four All-Americas, four All-Big Sky choices (including two first team selections), and a Freshman All-America in 2023, the first year under his direction.
Johnson brings an NFL pedigree and multi-level college coaching experience to Temple.
Prior to his time at MSU, Johnson was the running back coach at Wisconsin, his alma mater. The three-year starting center for Wisconsin earned third team All-America honors as a senior in 2002, before playing for four NFL teams from 2003-09. He began his coaching career at Southern Door High in 2013, 15 years after starring there, then became offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at NCAA DIII St. Norbert in 2014 and 2015. He spent the next two seasons as a grad assistant at Wisconsin, and was head coach at DII East Central (Oklahoma) in 2018-21.
Johnson finished at Wisconsin in 2003, and completed his undergraduate work at Southern New Hampshire in 2014. He and his wife, Brandy, have a son, Cyrus, and three daughters, Skylar, Makayla, and Chloe.
Andrew Pierce, Running Backs
Pierce is reunited with Keeler who was his head coach when he starred as a running back at Delaware.
Pierce comes to North Broad Street after three seasons as a coach at his alma mater. In 2022-23, he helped lead Delaware to back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances and would have done so again in 2024 if not for the Blue Hens making the transition to FBS football. Marcus Yarns earned first team all-conference in 2024 as UD's lead running back averaging 126.8 yards from scrimmage (93.8 rushing and 33.0 receiving).
In 2023, Delaware was top five in the CAA in rushing offense, which was led by Yarns who earned All-CAA honors and was an All-American selection after rushing for 939 yards and 15 touchdowns and recording 311 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
In his first season back with his alma mater, Pierce helped lead Delaware back to the FCS Playoffs. Pierce made an immediate impact as UD's rushing attack improved by nearly 30 yards per game from 2021 and the Blue Hens ranked fourth in the CAA with 1,864 total rushing yards in 2022. Three different running backs averaged at least 25 rushing yards per game and Delaware's running backs found the end zone 13 total times, including nine times on the ground.
Pierce spent the previous two seasons on the coaching staff at Rutgers, serving as the offensive quality control coach in 2021. He began his stint at Rutgers in March of 2020 as a player development coach during the spring season.
Prior to arriving at Rutgers, Pierce served as the running backs coach at Rowan in 2019. Under Pierce's guidance, Rowan finished third in the NJAC with 151.6 rushing yards per game, and running back Messiah Divine led the conference in rushing yards per game with 78.4, earning First Team All-NJAC honors.
Pierce began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Cumberland Regional High School from 2017-18.
Before he entered the coaching ranks, Pierce enjoyed a professional career with the Spokane Empire (2016-17) and the Tri-City Fever (2015) of the Indoor Football League (IFL). Pierce led the league in scoring with 28 touchdowns in 2015 and helped the Spokane Empire to a 2016 IFL title. He competed professionally in the Indoor Football League (IFL) from 2015-17.
Pierce had a stellar career for the Blue Hens, graduating in 2014 with a degree in health behavior science. A three-time All-American and two-time team captain, Pierce finished his career as the program's second all-time leading rusher with 4,450 career yards on the ground. He produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011, which included 1,655 yards in 2010, a Delaware freshman record. He was the recipient of UD's Edgar Johnson Award in 2014.
Roy Roundtree, Wide Receivers
In 2024, Roundtree spent a season with Miami (Ohio) as receivers coach. His three top receivers – Javon Tracy (57-818-7, first team All-MAC), Reggie Virgil (41-816-9, second team All-MAC), and Cade McDonald (52-631-3) - averaged 50.0 catches for 755.0 yards and 6.3 touchdowns.
Before that, Roundtree spent one year at McNeese State in a similar capacity. MSU's Jon McCall earned second team All-Southland Conference with 32 receptions for 504 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore receiver.
Prior to McNeese, Roundtree spent two seasons at Grand Valley State where his wide receiving corps combined to haul in 288 passes for 4,223 yards and 34 touchdowns. The Lakers compiled a 22-3 record in his two seasons on staff and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs both years.
In 2022, he helped lead the Lakers to a perfect 11-0 regular season record and No. 1 national ranking as the offense averaged 461 yards per game to rank 11th nationally. GVSU also ranked No. 9 in the NCAA in first downs and scored 52 times in 60 attempts in the red zone with 47 scores going for touchdowns.
Roundtree spent three years (2018-20) at Michigan where he assisted with all facets of the wide receiver position including game plan installments, individual drill work, passing game coordination, opponent film breakdown, defensive scout team organization and was responsible for special team duties for the punt and kick returns. He tutored the likes of Donovan People-Jones, Nico Collins and Ronnie Bell to All-Big Ten Conference honors during the 2019 campaign.
In 2017, he coached receivers at Indiana State; was wide receiver coach, along with recruiting coordinator and director of high school relations, at Limestone in 2016; and in 2015, coached at Colorado State-Pueblo.
Roundtree turned in an outstanding playing career at Michigan, hauling in 154 passes for 2,304 yards – fourth best mark in school history - and 15 touchdowns in 50 career games played. He started 37 consecutive games during his career, tallied career-highs in receptions (72), yards (935) and touchdown catches (7) as a sophomore in 2010. He also set the Michigan single-game record for receiving yards in a game (246) versus Illinois on nine receptions during the 2010 season.
He was a CollegeFootballNews.com and Sporting News Freshman All-American, while also being selected a two-time All-Big Ten performer during his time with the Wolverines.
A native of Trotwood, Ohio, Roundtree is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He married his wife, Alexis, in the summer of 2024.
Chris Zarkoskie, Tight Ends
Zarkoskie joined Temple after spending the 2024 season as assistant offensive line coach at James Madison.
Zarkoskie joined the Dukes after spending the 2023 season as offensive line coach on Bob Chesney's staff at Holy Cross. During his season with the Crusaders, his offensive line aided the offense in ranking third nationally in rushing, fourth in total offense and pass efficiency and seventh in scoring. CJ Hanson and Luke Newman were named first team All-Patriot League, while Patrick McMurtrie and Eric Schon were named to the second team.
The West Caldwell, N.J., native joined the Holy Cross staff after three seasons as the offensive line coach at Princeton. In two seasons with the Tigers, he helped lead the team to a combined 17-3 record. In 2022, Princeton ranked first in the Ivy League in passing offense (274.2), first in passing efficiency (146.6), second in scoring offense (27.6) and third in total offense (366.3). The 2021 season saw Princeton go 9-1 and earn an Ivy League title. The offense ranked first in the Ivy League in scoring (33.4), second in passing offense (265.5), second in passing efficiency (147.0) and third in total offense (392.4).
Zarkoskie previously coached at the New Hampshire (2014-17), Brown (2018) and Lehigh (2019). A 2013 graduate of New Hampshire, He was a strong student-athlete, earning major honors both on and off the field. He was a three-year starter, as well as an All-CAA selection and team captain as a senior. Zarkoskie was both a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and a two-time member of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team, while earning Academic All-CAA honors and receiving the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award three straight years (2010-12).
Walker and Johnson come to Temple fresh off an FCS Championship game appearance. The duo helped orchestrate a Montana State offense that led the FCS in points per game (40.8), total yards (478.4 ypg), and rushing yards (294.8 ypg), while completing a 15-1 record. Senior quarterback Tommy Mellott, the Walter Payton Award winner as the FCS player of the year, threw for 31 touchdowns and was one of three players to rush for 1,100+ yards and 14+ scores.
Tyler Walker, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
In just his first season as offensive coordinator at MSU, Walker orchestrated an offense that led the FCS in points per game (40.8), total yards (478.4 ypg), and rushing yards (294.8 ypg), while completing a 15-1 record. Senior quarterback Tommy Mellott, the Walter Payton Award winner as the FCS player of the year, threw for 31 touchdowns and was one of three players to rush for 1,100+ yards and 14+ scores.
Walker was elevated to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach prior to the 2024 season. In 2023, he completed his second season coaching Montana State's tight ends and fullbacks, producing one of the most dynamic and accomplished position groups in the FCS. Seniors Derryk Snell - at fullback - and Treyton Pickering - tight end - each earned first team All-Big Sky honors, with Snell snagging first team All-America honors from Phil Steele. Before joining the coaching ranks Walker spent 2021 as the program's Director of Football Recruiting.
He arrived at MSU after two years at Division III Muskingum (Ohio) University, where he worked as defensive coordinator in 2019 and special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach in 2018. He was receivers coach/pass game coordinator at Grand Rapids (Michigan) Central Catholic High School in 2017, helping the team to a 14-0 record and Division 4 State Championship. In 2016 Walker was the receivers coach and pass game co-coordinator at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, and was a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) working with receivers in 2014 and the defensive line in 2015.
Walker played at Bethel University in Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. He transferred to Miami (Ohio), where he earned a bachelor's degree in special education in 2014. He and his wife, Aimee, have two children, daughter, Aspen, and son, Lincoln.
Al Johnson, Offensive Line
Johnson spent two seasons at MSU and produced four All-Americas, four All-Big Sky choices (including two first team selections), and a Freshman All-America in 2023, the first year under his direction.
Johnson brings an NFL pedigree and multi-level college coaching experience to Temple.
Prior to his time at MSU, Johnson was the running back coach at Wisconsin, his alma mater. The three-year starting center for Wisconsin earned third team All-America honors as a senior in 2002, before playing for four NFL teams from 2003-09. He began his coaching career at Southern Door High in 2013, 15 years after starring there, then became offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at NCAA DIII St. Norbert in 2014 and 2015. He spent the next two seasons as a grad assistant at Wisconsin, and was head coach at DII East Central (Oklahoma) in 2018-21.
Johnson finished at Wisconsin in 2003, and completed his undergraduate work at Southern New Hampshire in 2014. He and his wife, Brandy, have a son, Cyrus, and three daughters, Skylar, Makayla, and Chloe.
Andrew Pierce, Running Backs
Pierce is reunited with Keeler who was his head coach when he starred as a running back at Delaware.
Pierce comes to North Broad Street after three seasons as a coach at his alma mater. In 2022-23, he helped lead Delaware to back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances and would have done so again in 2024 if not for the Blue Hens making the transition to FBS football. Marcus Yarns earned first team all-conference in 2024 as UD's lead running back averaging 126.8 yards from scrimmage (93.8 rushing and 33.0 receiving).
In 2023, Delaware was top five in the CAA in rushing offense, which was led by Yarns who earned All-CAA honors and was an All-American selection after rushing for 939 yards and 15 touchdowns and recording 311 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
In his first season back with his alma mater, Pierce helped lead Delaware back to the FCS Playoffs. Pierce made an immediate impact as UD's rushing attack improved by nearly 30 yards per game from 2021 and the Blue Hens ranked fourth in the CAA with 1,864 total rushing yards in 2022. Three different running backs averaged at least 25 rushing yards per game and Delaware's running backs found the end zone 13 total times, including nine times on the ground.
Pierce spent the previous two seasons on the coaching staff at Rutgers, serving as the offensive quality control coach in 2021. He began his stint at Rutgers in March of 2020 as a player development coach during the spring season.
Prior to arriving at Rutgers, Pierce served as the running backs coach at Rowan in 2019. Under Pierce's guidance, Rowan finished third in the NJAC with 151.6 rushing yards per game, and running back Messiah Divine led the conference in rushing yards per game with 78.4, earning First Team All-NJAC honors.
Pierce began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Cumberland Regional High School from 2017-18.
Before he entered the coaching ranks, Pierce enjoyed a professional career with the Spokane Empire (2016-17) and the Tri-City Fever (2015) of the Indoor Football League (IFL). Pierce led the league in scoring with 28 touchdowns in 2015 and helped the Spokane Empire to a 2016 IFL title. He competed professionally in the Indoor Football League (IFL) from 2015-17.
Pierce had a stellar career for the Blue Hens, graduating in 2014 with a degree in health behavior science. A three-time All-American and two-time team captain, Pierce finished his career as the program's second all-time leading rusher with 4,450 career yards on the ground. He produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011, which included 1,655 yards in 2010, a Delaware freshman record. He was the recipient of UD's Edgar Johnson Award in 2014.
Roy Roundtree, Wide Receivers
In 2024, Roundtree spent a season with Miami (Ohio) as receivers coach. His three top receivers – Javon Tracy (57-818-7, first team All-MAC), Reggie Virgil (41-816-9, second team All-MAC), and Cade McDonald (52-631-3) - averaged 50.0 catches for 755.0 yards and 6.3 touchdowns.
Before that, Roundtree spent one year at McNeese State in a similar capacity. MSU's Jon McCall earned second team All-Southland Conference with 32 receptions for 504 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore receiver.
Prior to McNeese, Roundtree spent two seasons at Grand Valley State where his wide receiving corps combined to haul in 288 passes for 4,223 yards and 34 touchdowns. The Lakers compiled a 22-3 record in his two seasons on staff and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs both years.
In 2022, he helped lead the Lakers to a perfect 11-0 regular season record and No. 1 national ranking as the offense averaged 461 yards per game to rank 11th nationally. GVSU also ranked No. 9 in the NCAA in first downs and scored 52 times in 60 attempts in the red zone with 47 scores going for touchdowns.
Roundtree spent three years (2018-20) at Michigan where he assisted with all facets of the wide receiver position including game plan installments, individual drill work, passing game coordination, opponent film breakdown, defensive scout team organization and was responsible for special team duties for the punt and kick returns. He tutored the likes of Donovan People-Jones, Nico Collins and Ronnie Bell to All-Big Ten Conference honors during the 2019 campaign.
In 2017, he coached receivers at Indiana State; was wide receiver coach, along with recruiting coordinator and director of high school relations, at Limestone in 2016; and in 2015, coached at Colorado State-Pueblo.
Roundtree turned in an outstanding playing career at Michigan, hauling in 154 passes for 2,304 yards – fourth best mark in school history - and 15 touchdowns in 50 career games played. He started 37 consecutive games during his career, tallied career-highs in receptions (72), yards (935) and touchdown catches (7) as a sophomore in 2010. He also set the Michigan single-game record for receiving yards in a game (246) versus Illinois on nine receptions during the 2010 season.
He was a CollegeFootballNews.com and Sporting News Freshman All-American, while also being selected a two-time All-Big Ten performer during his time with the Wolverines.
A native of Trotwood, Ohio, Roundtree is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He married his wife, Alexis, in the summer of 2024.
Chris Zarkoskie, Tight Ends
Zarkoskie joined Temple after spending the 2024 season as assistant offensive line coach at James Madison.
Zarkoskie joined the Dukes after spending the 2023 season as offensive line coach on Bob Chesney's staff at Holy Cross. During his season with the Crusaders, his offensive line aided the offense in ranking third nationally in rushing, fourth in total offense and pass efficiency and seventh in scoring. CJ Hanson and Luke Newman were named first team All-Patriot League, while Patrick McMurtrie and Eric Schon were named to the second team.
The West Caldwell, N.J., native joined the Holy Cross staff after three seasons as the offensive line coach at Princeton. In two seasons with the Tigers, he helped lead the team to a combined 17-3 record. In 2022, Princeton ranked first in the Ivy League in passing offense (274.2), first in passing efficiency (146.6), second in scoring offense (27.6) and third in total offense (366.3). The 2021 season saw Princeton go 9-1 and earn an Ivy League title. The offense ranked first in the Ivy League in scoring (33.4), second in passing offense (265.5), second in passing efficiency (147.0) and third in total offense (392.4).
Zarkoskie previously coached at the New Hampshire (2014-17), Brown (2018) and Lehigh (2019). A 2013 graduate of New Hampshire, He was a strong student-athlete, earning major honors both on and off the field. He was a three-year starter, as well as an All-CAA selection and team captain as a senior. Zarkoskie was both a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and a two-time member of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team, while earning Academic All-CAA honors and receiving the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award three straight years (2010-12).
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