Temple University Athletics
Football
Snow, Phil
Phil Snow
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator
- Email:
- philip.snow@temple.edu
- Phone:
- 215-204-0862
Phil Snow, who has a wealth of experience in both the collegiate and professional coaching ranks, enters his fourth season at Temple University as the defensive coordinator.
The 2015 season saw another tremendous outing from the Temple defense. Once again, the Owls ranked in the top of the conference in almost every defensive category, including rushing and scoring defense. Snow has also had a hand in helping to coach his fifth first-team All-American in senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich.
In 2014 after a full season of digesting his defense, the unit transformed into one of the best in the nation – ranking fourth in scoring defense allowing just 17.5 points per game after giving up 29.8 a season eaalier. Not only did they allow fewer points, but they have also scored six touchdowns (four fumble recoveries and two interception returns), trailing only Washington’s seven. Aiding in the transformation of Temple’s defense was its penchant for takeaways. Temple was among the Top 5 in the NCAA with 30, including 19 fumble recoveries (tying Florida International for the nation’s best).
The most dramatic improvement in Temple’s defense came in the passing game, where the unit shaved over 100 yards per game from the previous year. In 2014, the unit allowed just 186.9 yards per game after allowing 298.6 a year prior. They allowed just nine scoring passes after 24 one season ago. Generating a pass rush helped the cause – Temple had 25 sacks after just 19 in 2013.
Snow joined the Owls after three seasons as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Eastern Michigan University.
Under Snow’s guidance, EMU ranked 38th nationally and third in the MAC in pass defense in 2012. The Eagles gave up just 212.75 yards per game. Senior LB Justin Cudworth and senior DE Andy Mulumba were second-team All-Mid-American Conference honorees.
Snow orchestrated a major turnaround during the 2011 campaign, ranking 35th nationally and third in the MAC in total defense. The Eagles gave up 350.3 yards per game, an improvement of 103.8 yards per contest. In 12 games, the Eagles’ defense allowed just 292 points for a total of 24.3 points per game. The last EMU squad to accomplish the feat was the 1994 team, which gave up 275 points through its 11 contests.
Snow joined the Eagles after four seasons (2005-08) with the NFL’s Detroit Lions as linebackers coach.
Prior to his NFL stint in Detroit, Snow served as an assistant football coach at the University of Washington, UCLA, Arizona State University, the University of California, Boise State University, and Laney College.
A 1978 graduate of Cal-State Hayward, Snow began his coaching career on the high school level, coaching at Berkeley (CA) H.S. in 1976, and at his high school alma mater, Winters (CA) in 1977-78.
From there, Snow joined the Laney (CA) College football staff in 1979 as a defensive backs coach before taking over as the defensive coordinator in 1980 and 1981.
His next stop was Boise State University, where he was an assistant coach from 1982-86. He was a defensive backs coach in his first season at Boise before becoming the defensive coordinator in 1983 and holding that position through the 1986 season. In addition, he was the top assistant to the head coach from 1984-86. His Boise State defense was ranked sixth in the nation in 1986.
From Boise, Snow became defensive backs coach at the University of California from 1987-91. The 1990 and 1991 teams won the first back-to-back bowl games (Copper and Citrus) in school history. The 1991 team moved up as high as sixth in the weekly national rankings and played in the school’s first New Year’s Day bowl game in 33 years.
After his California experience, Snow became the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Arizona State University from 1992-2000 and saw the 1996 team play in the Rose Bowl, the 1997 team make the Sun Bowl, while the 1999 and 2000 squads played in the Aloha Bowl. Snow’s 1996 ASU squad finished first in the conference in rush defense (98.0), pass defense (104.2) and total defense (306.2). It held Nebraska scoreless in one game and limited the opposition to under 10 points in five games total that season. The team finished the season ranked fourth in the nation in both polls.
His defensive units ranked among the top three in scoring defense in the PAC-10 in three of his last five seasons at ASU. In 2000, the Sun Devils ranked first in the nation in fumbles recovered and third in the country in number of turnovers created. The group was headlined by PAC -10 Defensive Player of the Year, Adam Archuleta, and conference Freshman of the Year, Terrell Suggs.
Snow left ASU to become the defensive coordinator for two seasons at UCLA, where he mentored current Temple head coach Matt Rhule during the 2001 season. The Bruin defense ranked first in the PAC-10 in total defense in Snow’s first season. The unit also finished the season ranked second in the league in rushing defense and scoring defense. In addition, linebacker Robert Thomas, a first round selection by the Rams in the 2002 NFL draft, earned 2001 PAC-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Kenyon Coleman was the defensive winner of the Morris Trophy as the PAC-10’s best lineman. The 2002 team participated in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The University of Washington called next and Snow spent 2003 as first the co-defensive coordinator and then the 2004 season as coordinator for the Huskies before moving to the NFL in 2005.
A native of Woodland, CA, Snow graduated from Winters H.S. in Winters, CA. He went on to earn an associate’s degree at Sacramento City College in 1975 before completing his bachelor’s at Cal-State Hayward.
Snow and his wife, Debra, have two sons, Phillip and Jacob. Son Phillip played golf at Nevada. His nephew is Boston Red Sox MVP second baseman, Dustin Pedroia.
THE PHIL SNOW FILE
PERSONAL
Year Coaching: 40th
Year Coaching College: 33rd
Year Coaching at Temple: 4th
Year at current position: 4th
College: California State University at Hayward ‘78
B.A. in Physical Education
Hometown: Woodland, CA
High School: Winters
Born: December 22, 1955
Family: Wife – Debra
Children: Phillip, Jacob
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Temple University (2013-present)
2013-present – Defensive Coordinator / Safeties
Eastern Michigan University (2010-12)
2010-12 – Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs
NFL Detroit Lions (2005-08)
2006-08– Linebackers
2005 – Defense
University of Washington (2003-04)
2003-04– Defensive Coordinator
UCLA (2001-02)
2001-02– Defensive Coordinator
Arizona State University (1992-00)
1992-00– Defensive Coordinator
University of California (1987-91)
1987-91– Defensive Backs
Boise State University (1982-86)
1983-86– Defensive Coordinator
1982– Defensive Backs
Laney College (1979-81)
1980-81– Defensive Coordinator
1979– Defensive Backs
Winters High School (1977-78)
1977-78– Defensive Backs
Berkeley High School (1976)
1976– Head J.V. Coach / Varsity Defensive Backs
NFL PLAYERS COACHED (Round Drafted)
DB Kevin Miniefield (8th) – Arizona State ‘93 – Detroit Lions
DB Lenny McGill (FA) – Arizona State ‘94 – Green Bay Packers
DB Craig Newsome (1st) – Arizona State ‘95 – Green Bay Packers
LB Derrick Rodgers (3rd) – Arizona State ‘97 – Miami Dolphins
DE Jeremy Staat (2nd) – Arizona State ‘98 – Pittsburgh Steelers
DB Jason Simmons (5th) – Arizona State ‘98 – Pittsburgh Steelers
DB Damien Richardson (6th) – Arizona State ‘98 – Carolina Panthers
LB Pat Tillman (7th) – Arizona State ‘98 – Arizona Cardinals
DE Erik Flowers (1st) – Arizona State ‘00 – Buffalo Bills
DT Junior Ioane (4th) – Arizona State ‘00 – Oakland Raiders
LB Adam Archuleta (1st) – Arizona State ‘01 – St. Louis Rams
LB Robert Thomas (1st) – UCLA ’02 – St. Louis Rams
DB Marques Anderson (3rd) – UCLA ’02 – Green Bay Packers
DE Kenyon Coleman (5th) – UCLA ’02 – Oakland Raiders
LB Ryan Nece (FA) – UCLA ’02 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DE Terrell Suggs (1st) – Arizona State ‘03 – Baltimore Ravens
DB Ricky Manning, Jr. (3rd) – UCLA ‘03 – Carolina Panthers
DT Terry “Tank” Johnson (2nd) – Washington ‘04 – Chicago Bears
LB Marquis Cooper (3rd) – Washington ‘04 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DB Matt Ware (3rd) – UCLA ‘04 – Philadelphia Eagles
DB Brandon Chillar (4th) – UCLA ‘04 – St. Louis Rams
DE David Ball (5th) – UCLA ‘04 – San Diego Chargers
LB/TE Spencer Havner (FA) – UCLA ‘06 – Washington Redskins
DB Tavon Young (4) - Temple ‘16 - Baltimore Ravens
DL Matt Ioannidis (5) - Temple ‘16 - Washington Redskins
LB Tyler Matakevich (7) - Temple ‘16 - Pittsburgh Steelers
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
TEMPLE:
LB TYLER MATAKEVICH – The 2015 Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner as defensive player iof the year. Was a consensus first-team All-American. Hold the school mark for most tackles with 493.
WASHINGTON:
LB MARQUIS COOPER – 2002 honorable mention All-PAC-10 selection.
DT TERRY “TANK” JOHNSON – 2003 second-team All-PAC-10 honoree.
UCLA:
DB MARQUES ANDERSON – Finished career with 236 tackles, 174 solos, four sacks, and 16 TFL. 1997 Freshman All-American. Director’s Honor Roll.
DE DAVID BELL – 2003 unanimous All-American. Two-time first-team All-PAC-10 honoree. Won the 2003 Morris Trophy as the best defensive lineman in the PAC-10.
DB BRANDON CHILLAR – 2003 first-team All-PAC-10. Member of the 2011 Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl championship team.
DE KENYON COLEMAN – Won the 2001 Morris Trophy as the PAC-10’s best lineman.
LB SPENCER HAVNER – Two-time All-PAC-10 honoree. 2002 Freshman All-American. 2002 PAC-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
DB RICKY MANNING JR. – Three-time first-team All-PAC-10 selection. Started 45 consecutive games, second longest streak in school history.
LB RYAN NECE – 2001 Honorable Mention All-PAC-10. Butkus Award semifinalist. Member of the 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl championship team.
LB ROBERT THOMAS – 2001 consensus All-American and PAC-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year honoree.
DB MATT WARE – 2001 Freshman All-American and PAC-10 Freshman of the Year.
ARIZONA STATE:
LB ADAM ARCHULETA – 2000 PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All- PAC-10 selection.
DE ERIK FLOWERS – 1999 All- PAC-10 honoree. East-West Shrine Game participant. JC All-American selection.
DT JUNIOR IOANE – 1999 Honorable Mention All- PAC -10.
DB LENNY McGILL – 1993 Honorable Mention All- PAC -10.
DB CRAIG NEWSOME – 1993 first-team All- PAC-10 selection. Starting CB for 1996 Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl championship team.
DB DAMIEN RICHARDSON – 1997 NFF Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete. After seven seasons in the NFL, enrolled in medical school.
LB DERRICK RODGERS – 1996 consensus All-American.
DB JASON SIMMONS – 1997 second-team All-PAC-10 honoree.
DE JEREMY STAAT – Won the 1997 Morris Trophy as the best defensive lineman in the PAC-10.
DE TERRELL SUGGS – 2002 unanimous All-American. Set the NCAA record with 24 sacks in 2002. 2000 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.
LB PAT TILLMAN – 1997 PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year. 2010 College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Gave up NFL career to join the Army Rangers. Died in combat in 2004. Awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.
The 2015 season saw another tremendous outing from the Temple defense. Once again, the Owls ranked in the top of the conference in almost every defensive category, including rushing and scoring defense. Snow has also had a hand in helping to coach his fifth first-team All-American in senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich.
In 2014 after a full season of digesting his defense, the unit transformed into one of the best in the nation – ranking fourth in scoring defense allowing just 17.5 points per game after giving up 29.8 a season eaalier. Not only did they allow fewer points, but they have also scored six touchdowns (four fumble recoveries and two interception returns), trailing only Washington’s seven. Aiding in the transformation of Temple’s defense was its penchant for takeaways. Temple was among the Top 5 in the NCAA with 30, including 19 fumble recoveries (tying Florida International for the nation’s best).
The most dramatic improvement in Temple’s defense came in the passing game, where the unit shaved over 100 yards per game from the previous year. In 2014, the unit allowed just 186.9 yards per game after allowing 298.6 a year prior. They allowed just nine scoring passes after 24 one season ago. Generating a pass rush helped the cause – Temple had 25 sacks after just 19 in 2013.
Snow joined the Owls after three seasons as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Eastern Michigan University.
Under Snow’s guidance, EMU ranked 38th nationally and third in the MAC in pass defense in 2012. The Eagles gave up just 212.75 yards per game. Senior LB Justin Cudworth and senior DE Andy Mulumba were second-team All-Mid-American Conference honorees.
Snow orchestrated a major turnaround during the 2011 campaign, ranking 35th nationally and third in the MAC in total defense. The Eagles gave up 350.3 yards per game, an improvement of 103.8 yards per contest. In 12 games, the Eagles’ defense allowed just 292 points for a total of 24.3 points per game. The last EMU squad to accomplish the feat was the 1994 team, which gave up 275 points through its 11 contests.
Snow joined the Eagles after four seasons (2005-08) with the NFL’s Detroit Lions as linebackers coach.
Prior to his NFL stint in Detroit, Snow served as an assistant football coach at the University of Washington, UCLA, Arizona State University, the University of California, Boise State University, and Laney College.
A 1978 graduate of Cal-State Hayward, Snow began his coaching career on the high school level, coaching at Berkeley (CA) H.S. in 1976, and at his high school alma mater, Winters (CA) in 1977-78.
From there, Snow joined the Laney (CA) College football staff in 1979 as a defensive backs coach before taking over as the defensive coordinator in 1980 and 1981.
His next stop was Boise State University, where he was an assistant coach from 1982-86. He was a defensive backs coach in his first season at Boise before becoming the defensive coordinator in 1983 and holding that position through the 1986 season. In addition, he was the top assistant to the head coach from 1984-86. His Boise State defense was ranked sixth in the nation in 1986.
From Boise, Snow became defensive backs coach at the University of California from 1987-91. The 1990 and 1991 teams won the first back-to-back bowl games (Copper and Citrus) in school history. The 1991 team moved up as high as sixth in the weekly national rankings and played in the school’s first New Year’s Day bowl game in 33 years.
After his California experience, Snow became the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Arizona State University from 1992-2000 and saw the 1996 team play in the Rose Bowl, the 1997 team make the Sun Bowl, while the 1999 and 2000 squads played in the Aloha Bowl. Snow’s 1996 ASU squad finished first in the conference in rush defense (98.0), pass defense (104.2) and total defense (306.2). It held Nebraska scoreless in one game and limited the opposition to under 10 points in five games total that season. The team finished the season ranked fourth in the nation in both polls.
His defensive units ranked among the top three in scoring defense in the PAC-10 in three of his last five seasons at ASU. In 2000, the Sun Devils ranked first in the nation in fumbles recovered and third in the country in number of turnovers created. The group was headlined by PAC -10 Defensive Player of the Year, Adam Archuleta, and conference Freshman of the Year, Terrell Suggs.
Snow left ASU to become the defensive coordinator for two seasons at UCLA, where he mentored current Temple head coach Matt Rhule during the 2001 season. The Bruin defense ranked first in the PAC-10 in total defense in Snow’s first season. The unit also finished the season ranked second in the league in rushing defense and scoring defense. In addition, linebacker Robert Thomas, a first round selection by the Rams in the 2002 NFL draft, earned 2001 PAC-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Kenyon Coleman was the defensive winner of the Morris Trophy as the PAC-10’s best lineman. The 2002 team participated in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The University of Washington called next and Snow spent 2003 as first the co-defensive coordinator and then the 2004 season as coordinator for the Huskies before moving to the NFL in 2005.
A native of Woodland, CA, Snow graduated from Winters H.S. in Winters, CA. He went on to earn an associate’s degree at Sacramento City College in 1975 before completing his bachelor’s at Cal-State Hayward.
Snow and his wife, Debra, have two sons, Phillip and Jacob. Son Phillip played golf at Nevada. His nephew is Boston Red Sox MVP second baseman, Dustin Pedroia.
THE PHIL SNOW FILE
PERSONAL
Year Coaching: 40th
Year Coaching College: 33rd
Year Coaching at Temple: 4th
Year at current position: 4th
College: California State University at Hayward ‘78
B.A. in Physical Education
Hometown: Woodland, CA
High School: Winters
Born: December 22, 1955
Family: Wife – Debra
Children: Phillip, Jacob
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Temple University (2013-present)
2013-present – Defensive Coordinator / Safeties
Eastern Michigan University (2010-12)
2010-12 – Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs
NFL Detroit Lions (2005-08)
2006-08– Linebackers
2005 – Defense
University of Washington (2003-04)
2003-04– Defensive Coordinator
UCLA (2001-02)
2001-02– Defensive Coordinator
Arizona State University (1992-00)
1992-00– Defensive Coordinator
University of California (1987-91)
1987-91– Defensive Backs
Boise State University (1982-86)
1983-86– Defensive Coordinator
1982– Defensive Backs
Laney College (1979-81)
1980-81– Defensive Coordinator
1979– Defensive Backs
Winters High School (1977-78)
1977-78– Defensive Backs
Berkeley High School (1976)
1976– Head J.V. Coach / Varsity Defensive Backs
NFL PLAYERS COACHED (Round Drafted)
DB Kevin Miniefield (8th) – Arizona State ‘93 – Detroit Lions
DB Lenny McGill (FA) – Arizona State ‘94 – Green Bay Packers
DB Craig Newsome (1st) – Arizona State ‘95 – Green Bay Packers
LB Derrick Rodgers (3rd) – Arizona State ‘97 – Miami Dolphins
DE Jeremy Staat (2nd) – Arizona State ‘98 – Pittsburgh Steelers
DB Jason Simmons (5th) – Arizona State ‘98 – Pittsburgh Steelers
DB Damien Richardson (6th) – Arizona State ‘98 – Carolina Panthers
LB Pat Tillman (7th) – Arizona State ‘98 – Arizona Cardinals
DE Erik Flowers (1st) – Arizona State ‘00 – Buffalo Bills
DT Junior Ioane (4th) – Arizona State ‘00 – Oakland Raiders
LB Adam Archuleta (1st) – Arizona State ‘01 – St. Louis Rams
LB Robert Thomas (1st) – UCLA ’02 – St. Louis Rams
DB Marques Anderson (3rd) – UCLA ’02 – Green Bay Packers
DE Kenyon Coleman (5th) – UCLA ’02 – Oakland Raiders
LB Ryan Nece (FA) – UCLA ’02 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DE Terrell Suggs (1st) – Arizona State ‘03 – Baltimore Ravens
DB Ricky Manning, Jr. (3rd) – UCLA ‘03 – Carolina Panthers
DT Terry “Tank” Johnson (2nd) – Washington ‘04 – Chicago Bears
LB Marquis Cooper (3rd) – Washington ‘04 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DB Matt Ware (3rd) – UCLA ‘04 – Philadelphia Eagles
DB Brandon Chillar (4th) – UCLA ‘04 – St. Louis Rams
DE David Ball (5th) – UCLA ‘04 – San Diego Chargers
LB/TE Spencer Havner (FA) – UCLA ‘06 – Washington Redskins
DB Tavon Young (4) - Temple ‘16 - Baltimore Ravens
DL Matt Ioannidis (5) - Temple ‘16 - Washington Redskins
LB Tyler Matakevich (7) - Temple ‘16 - Pittsburgh Steelers
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
TEMPLE:
LB TYLER MATAKEVICH – The 2015 Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner as defensive player iof the year. Was a consensus first-team All-American. Hold the school mark for most tackles with 493.
WASHINGTON:
LB MARQUIS COOPER – 2002 honorable mention All-PAC-10 selection.
DT TERRY “TANK” JOHNSON – 2003 second-team All-PAC-10 honoree.
UCLA:
DB MARQUES ANDERSON – Finished career with 236 tackles, 174 solos, four sacks, and 16 TFL. 1997 Freshman All-American. Director’s Honor Roll.
DE DAVID BELL – 2003 unanimous All-American. Two-time first-team All-PAC-10 honoree. Won the 2003 Morris Trophy as the best defensive lineman in the PAC-10.
DB BRANDON CHILLAR – 2003 first-team All-PAC-10. Member of the 2011 Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl championship team.
DE KENYON COLEMAN – Won the 2001 Morris Trophy as the PAC-10’s best lineman.
LB SPENCER HAVNER – Two-time All-PAC-10 honoree. 2002 Freshman All-American. 2002 PAC-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
DB RICKY MANNING JR. – Three-time first-team All-PAC-10 selection. Started 45 consecutive games, second longest streak in school history.
LB RYAN NECE – 2001 Honorable Mention All-PAC-10. Butkus Award semifinalist. Member of the 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl championship team.
LB ROBERT THOMAS – 2001 consensus All-American and PAC-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year honoree.
DB MATT WARE – 2001 Freshman All-American and PAC-10 Freshman of the Year.
ARIZONA STATE:
LB ADAM ARCHULETA – 2000 PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All- PAC-10 selection.
DE ERIK FLOWERS – 1999 All- PAC-10 honoree. East-West Shrine Game participant. JC All-American selection.
DT JUNIOR IOANE – 1999 Honorable Mention All- PAC -10.
DB LENNY McGILL – 1993 Honorable Mention All- PAC -10.
DB CRAIG NEWSOME – 1993 first-team All- PAC-10 selection. Starting CB for 1996 Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl championship team.
DB DAMIEN RICHARDSON – 1997 NFF Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete. After seven seasons in the NFL, enrolled in medical school.
LB DERRICK RODGERS – 1996 consensus All-American.
DB JASON SIMMONS – 1997 second-team All-PAC-10 honoree.
DE JEREMY STAAT – Won the 1997 Morris Trophy as the best defensive lineman in the PAC-10.
DE TERRELL SUGGS – 2002 unanimous All-American. Set the NCAA record with 24 sacks in 2002. 2000 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.
LB PAT TILLMAN – 1997 PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year. 2010 College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Gave up NFL career to join the Army Rangers. Died in combat in 2004. Awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.
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