Temple University Athletics
Football
McGowan, Sean
Sean McGowan
- Title:
- Inside Linebackers Coach / Special Teams Coordinator
- Email:
- smcgowan@temple.edu
- Phone:
- 215-204-0869
- Alma Mater:
- Fordham '98
Sean McGowan, who served four years as the defensive coordinator at the University of New Hampshire, is in his second season as the inside linebackers coach at Temple University. This fall he adds special teams coordinator to his duties.
In 2011 the Owls’ defense dominated the Mid-American Conference, leading all teams in five categories while ranking No. 3 nationally in scoring defense. McGowan guided senior LB Stephen Johnson from walk-on to team leader. Johnson was the top Owl tackler with 123 tackles, including a team-best 68 solos, more than 47 tackles better than the next Owl. Johnson has led the TU defense in nine games.
LB Tahir Whitehead was drafted in the fifth round by Detroit Lions in 2012, one of a school record three Draftees and a school record class of 11 NFL signees that included free agents DE Morkeith Brown (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), LB Stephen Johnson (New Orleans Saints), and DE Adrian Robinson (Pittsburgh Steelers).
McGowan worked at New Hampshire for seven years overall, including four seasons as the defensive coordinator. In 2010, the Wildcats advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. The 2010 season marked McGowan’s second consecutive year – five years total – as coach of the defensive backs. He also coached the DBs for three seasons (2004-06) before serving as mentor of the linebackers for two years (2007-08).
McGowan was instrumental in helping the Wildcat defense lead the nation in fumble recoveries, interceptions, and turnover margin in 2005. McGowan mentored Jeff Pammer who earned All-America honors. McGowan worked closely with Buck Buchanan Award candidate Corey Graham, who was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2007 by the Chicago Bears. Although he didn’t have the official title, McGowan served in a defensive coordinator capacity in 2006.
Prior to joining the UNH staff, McGowan worked at the University of New Haven before the school discontinued its football program. He spent the 2003 season as the defensive coordinator at West Virginia Tech.
McGowan began his coaching career at Division III Occidental College where he served as the quarterbacks coach (1998). He then moved on to the University of Pittsburgh as a graduate assistant for three seasons (1999-2001). McGowan spent his first season in recruiting before moving to defense, where he worked with the secondary. McGowan then took over as defensive coordinator at Duquesne University (2002), where the defense ranked first in total defense in I-AA.
He was a two-year letterwinner at Fordham as he started out as quarterback before moving to safety his final two seasons. McGowan received a bachelor’s degree in business from Fordham in 1998.
He is married to the former Ashley Mussig. The couple has an infant son Liam.
In 2011 the Owls’ defense dominated the Mid-American Conference, leading all teams in five categories while ranking No. 3 nationally in scoring defense. McGowan guided senior LB Stephen Johnson from walk-on to team leader. Johnson was the top Owl tackler with 123 tackles, including a team-best 68 solos, more than 47 tackles better than the next Owl. Johnson has led the TU defense in nine games.
LB Tahir Whitehead was drafted in the fifth round by Detroit Lions in 2012, one of a school record three Draftees and a school record class of 11 NFL signees that included free agents DE Morkeith Brown (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), LB Stephen Johnson (New Orleans Saints), and DE Adrian Robinson (Pittsburgh Steelers).
McGowan worked at New Hampshire for seven years overall, including four seasons as the defensive coordinator. In 2010, the Wildcats advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. The 2010 season marked McGowan’s second consecutive year – five years total – as coach of the defensive backs. He also coached the DBs for three seasons (2004-06) before serving as mentor of the linebackers for two years (2007-08).
McGowan was instrumental in helping the Wildcat defense lead the nation in fumble recoveries, interceptions, and turnover margin in 2005. McGowan mentored Jeff Pammer who earned All-America honors. McGowan worked closely with Buck Buchanan Award candidate Corey Graham, who was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2007 by the Chicago Bears. Although he didn’t have the official title, McGowan served in a defensive coordinator capacity in 2006.
Prior to joining the UNH staff, McGowan worked at the University of New Haven before the school discontinued its football program. He spent the 2003 season as the defensive coordinator at West Virginia Tech.
McGowan began his coaching career at Division III Occidental College where he served as the quarterbacks coach (1998). He then moved on to the University of Pittsburgh as a graduate assistant for three seasons (1999-2001). McGowan spent his first season in recruiting before moving to defense, where he worked with the secondary. McGowan then took over as defensive coordinator at Duquesne University (2002), where the defense ranked first in total defense in I-AA.
He was a two-year letterwinner at Fordham as he started out as quarterback before moving to safety his final two seasons. McGowan received a bachelor’s degree in business from Fordham in 1998.
He is married to the former Ashley Mussig. The couple has an infant son Liam.
Javier Morton, 9/6/25
Saturday, September 06
Temple Offensive Line, 9/6/25
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K.C. Keeler, 9/6/25
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Ep. 2: Temple Football Alum Tyler Matakevich || Gymnastics Junior Amelia Budd
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