RIP Howard Schnellenberger

[Cosmo]

Legendary Coach Howard Schnellenberger Has Passed Away at the Age of 87 - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

My only interaction with him was in 2003 when Florida Atlantic came to Flagstaff to play NAU in the FCS playoffs. He kind of rambled on about a lot of things for about 20 minutes postgame but it was cool to hear one of the sport's giant figures up close. RIP.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

I was at the 1984 Orange Bowl when his Canes beat Nebraska to win the national title
Great team
Didn’t care who they played, when they played or where they played
They just played
Howard created the state of Miami which Jimmy Johnson built upon
RIP

 

[DanOregon]

The last five minutes are everything. RIP. Such a great game. The half jerseys, the neck collars, the mud on the unis, The NAMES.

 

[User 149557]

Just once in my life I want to look as majestic as Howard in that sports coat, walrus mustache and a pipe in my mouth.

 

[TigerVols]

Six RIP threads on the front page. Grim Reaper’s getting busy.

 

[DanOregon]

If Nebraska just went for the kick and the tie at the end - do they retain the No. 1 ranking? No. 2 Texas lost to Georgia in the Cotton, No. 3 Auburn snuck past no. 14 Michigan in the Sugar 9-7. No. 4 Illinois got crushed by unranked UCLA in the Rose. Miami was ranked 5th going into the game.

 

[dixiehack]

His endorsements of the Turfman’s line of products was one of my favorite running bits in the days of vintage EDSBS.

Turfman's

RIP sweet prince. All is forgiven for the 91 Fiesta Bowl.

 

[Songbird]

One of the familiar faces of my childhood as I was falling in love with football.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

Many interactions with the old coach, especially during his run at Florida Atlantic. He was part of that old group of coaches that dreamed big. When he got to Miami the thought of them being able to compete nationally was a joke and he kick started a 10-year run of dominance. And early at FAU he boasted about the plans for the school to build a big domed stadium. Of course being cynical reporters, we chucked at the old man, but he always said, "They laughed when I said Miami will win a championship, that was a big dream...this is just money and construction."

In his second, or maybe his third year at FAU, he damn near led the Owls to the FCS title. I think they got to the semifinals.

 

[goalmouth]

Were I voting, I would have buried Osborne just for switching those defenders' numbers. What an ass.

 

[Octave]

A few interactions- he was a fantastic interview. One of those guys who if you just get him going will fill the notebook.

 

[Cosmo]

Many interactions with the old coach, especially during his run at Florida Atlantic. He was part of that old group of coaches that dreamed big. When he got to Miami the thought of them being able to compete nationally was a joke and he kick started a 10-year run of dominance. And early at FAU he boasted about the plans for the school to build a big domed stadium. Of course being cynical reporters, we chucked at the old man, but he always said, "They laughed when I said Miami will win a championship, that was a big dream...this is just money and construction."

In his second, or maybe his third year at FAU, he damn near led the Owls to the FCS title. I think they got to the semifinals.

Correct. They ****housed NAU in Flagstaff (after NAU had taken out the No. 1 seed McNeese State in round 1) then lost to Colgate in the semis. Two current CUSA members were in that playoff -- FAU and Western Kentucky.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Though he didn’t reap the rewards, Louisville was absolute **** in football until he got there

 

[cyclingwriter2]

Had a bit part in the film version of MASH.

 

[Deskgrunt50]

I went to his football camp at Louisville. One of those deals where he was there for 15 minutes on the first day, 15 minutes on the last day and the staff coaches did the rest. But it was one of my first experiences with someone who had a real “presence” when he showed up and spoke. The feel and mood just changed. At least that’s how 16 year old me felt.

 

[maumann]

RIP coach. Sorry for all the oranges that got thrown your way.

 

[Octave]

Also part of the Paul Brown coaching tree.

 

[Scout]

Is he coming back for the pipe?

RIP

 

[qtlaw]

Loved that Miami team playing the underdog. Buskers played like 8 home games that year. Weak IMHO. I loved Kosar too! Maybe a **** but what drive. What a QB should be in my mind then.

 

[dixiehack]

I had forgotten why he left the U. He was going to take over the Washington Federals when they moved to South Florida, but the new ownership backed out once the USFL decided to switch to fall. (Thanks Trump!) Franchise went to Orlando instead and hired Lee Corso.