Floyd Temple

Floyd Temple is synonymous with the University of Kansas, but he was born in Coffeyville in 1926.  He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Following World War II, Temple went to KU as a football player.  He lettered in football and baseball.  His 1949 Jayhawk baseball team won the Big Seven conference title, something that would not happen again until 2006.

After graduating from KU, Temple played minor league baseball.  In 1951-52, he played for the Iola Indians of the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League and managed the team for parts of those seasons.

Temple returned to KU as baseball coach in 1954 and would coach the Jayhawks until 1981.  He won 437 games and left as the program’s winningest coach (subsequently bettered by Ritch Price).  His number 13 was retired and is displayed on the outfield wall at Hogland Ballpark at KU.

During his entire tenure at KU, he also served as an assistant football coach.  Temple was also an Assistant Athletic Director at KU from 1981-1992.

Temple died in Lawrence in 2012.  He was 86 years of age.