Let's put this to rest and show some respect for our Head Football Coach and our young players–Go Owls!

Despite Florida Atlantic's 1-5 record, Howard Schnellenberger will remain as coach

By Tom D'Angelo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Posted: 2:37 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic Athletic Director Craig Angelos knows about the Internet chatter and senses the dissatisfaction among the fans with coach Howard Schnellenberger.

Angelos, though, is standing by the venerable coach.

"I'm remaining optimistic we're going to do well this year," he said. "Next year we're moving into the new stadium. Howard is going to run us into that new stadium as we always discussed. That's not changing."

Florida Atlantic (1-5, 0-3 Sun Belt) hopes to turn around its season against rival Florida International (2-4, 2-0), which is making the short trip to Lockhart Stadium for today's 4 p.m. homecoming game.

While the Owls are the lone winless team in the Sun Belt, the Panthers are one-half game behind Troy for the conference lead.

"We're fighting for our personal pride and integrity," Schnellenberger said. "The position of an underdog has to be good for us. We have to win a game and get the ship righted."

The Owls were 1-5 two years ago before winning 5-of-6 to qualify for the Motor City Bowl where they defeated Central Michigan. But this start feels worse and for several reasons:

They have lost five in a row.

They have yet to play any of the top three teams in the conference.

Last Saturday's loss at Arkansas State was demoralizing and embarrassing. The Red Wolves scored four touchdowns during a 5:38 second span early in the fourth quarter, the last three coming off FAU turnovers.

That collapse in a game in which FAU committed 14 penalties (for 142 yards), plus some questionable coaching decisions early in the season has some calling for a coaching change.

One Internet thread titled 'FIRE HOWARD' has four pages of comments, many of which are uncomplimentary.

"I'm glad the fans are passionate about our program," Angelos said. "I'm just hopeful we are going to go on a run and win five of six and go to a bowl game."

Schnellenberger, whose contract runs through the 2011 season, said he is not "specifically" aware of the discontent, but …

"I would think there would be some conversation along those lines," he said.

Schnellenberger, 76, still is respected as the man who launched the program, has been the head coach since its inception and came with enough clout to get the Owls into a Division I-A conference, which led to their two bowl appearances. He won a national championship with Miami and revived a dormant Louisville program before arriving at FAU.

Schnellenberger also made it his mission to secure an on campus stadium and is looking forward to leading the Owls onto that field when it opens a year from now.

But the unhappiness among the fans stems from a 13-18 record, including 9-9 in the conference, since winning the Sun Belt title in 2007.

And that number certainly will increase if FAU loses today to its rival.

The Owls are 7-1 against FIU and the Panthers' lone victory - 52-6 in 2005 - was vacated because of NCAA sanctions.

The last two games were decided by a touchdown, including a 57-50 overtime thriller two years ago.

"This week nothing matters - stats, records," quarterback Jeff Van Camp said. "We are playing our rival and we want to kick their tails."

Van Camp said beating FIU is "something FAU has been accustomed to" and defensive end Kevin Cyrille called FIU "our little brother in the conference."

The Panthers have won two straight this season after dropping four in a row against teams from BCS conferences. FIU led Rutgers and Texas A&M in the fourth quarter and was tied with Maryland late in the third.

"It's tough to put everything behind you right now," Van Camp said. "We still believe we can turn this thing around and getting a win (today) will help that out."

If you really look at the situation, only a handful of people have said they want Howard gone.  Most of us have defended him although that doesn't mean we are happy with the result.  Too bad they give credibility to the very few by referencing them in this article when the majority wants Howard to stay.

There will be people that want him gone every year regardless of the record simply because they do not understand the big picture.  I'm tired of beating that dead horse.

There are many people that will complain that will never even step a foot into the new stadium.

For those that want support the program for the long term, you can call 1-866-FAU-OWLS and put a deposit on tickets in the new stadium.  That's what I did yesterday.

Hopefully I don't have to sit next to one of the few "Fire Howard" guys :D.  Oh wait, they probably won't go to any games, but instead will be here week in and week out asking for his head on a platter.  Have fun with that!  I will be in the new stadium sipping a cocktail, enjoying football in paradise, and supporting the future of the team and the university.

It's a great time to be an Owl!

Completely agree with you FauOwl.  My thoughts are if the team continues on a slide then it is up to Howard to make some changes to the coaching staff.  I would say that 90% of fans want him to stay and this is just the media blowing everything out of proportion (just as they always do).

Rest assured; if the FAU coaching staff does not RIGHT the ship, then some heads will roll!  Howard will make some serious changes–if needed!  I have complete faith in Howard and respect everything that he has done for OWL COUNTRY!

GO OWLS!
'91  

Glad to say that the Owls are now 2-5! Good job to all of the Owls!!!!!!!