Temple's Geoff Collins has emerged as the top candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy at Georgia Tech, a source told Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

A deal could be consummated as early as Thursday night, Thamel adds.

Collins is in his second year at Temple and has guided the Owls to a 15-10 record. The former Florida defensive coordinator took over when Matt Rhule left for Baylor.

A native of the Peach State, Collins served Georgia Tech as a graduate assistant from 1999-2001. He returned to the school for a season in 2006 as director of player personnel.