FIUFanatic said

MaXx said

Just a quick note, it was only a select few of our fans wanting Strock and Mello gone, most of us thought he should at least get 1, if not a few more seasons before we make any changes. Some of those fans who want him gone still have the same opinion, they are entitled to it.

Well, MaXx, as you know I agree with you, and this fact has been discussed on this board before. In all fairness, while I didn't and don't agree with the few ones that were already calling for his head, or raising that possibility, I can see a bit of reason of where they were coming from. It took for our team to win 4 of the last 5 games, including the 52-6 "lucky win" over FAU to quiet down some of the doubters. The truth is that Don Strock doesn't have the history of winning that Schnellenberger has, so it is more plausible for some to doubt him early on, since he really hasn't proved anything on the field yet.

On the other hand, Schnellenberger is a Hall of Fame Coach and winner in every place he has been to…heck National Championships among his resume, so it really isn't fair to compare the two programs's coaches and some of their fans reactions. I'm sure if things were the other way around, some FAU fans would have been calling for Strock's head as well. In that respect, it is only logical for most FAU fans to have a longer leash on proven winner Schnellenberger than on unproven Strock.

That was touching :'(

I agree FIUFanatic. A proven coach is questioned but not to the degree of an unproven one. Plus Schnelly had a 9-2 season in FAU's brief history with a trip to the D1-AA semi-finals. That buys a little patience. He's doing a good job with a staff that has a good bit of turnover.

Did I hear you guys lost a coach to USF? What position coach was he?

Yes, you are right about the winning seasons as well. We lost linebacker coach and defensive coordinator Bernard Clark to USF, where he will be the D-lineman coach. We also lost running back coach Tony Nathan to the Baltimore Ravens, and D-Line coach Clint Hurtt back to the Hurricanes...

Ouch! Coaching consistency can be critical. Both FAU and FIU need to be able to do something with salaries or both will continue to loose coaches. I guess it says a lot that the coaches are landing at good programs.

Do you really believe that was the only reason he was fired? I'm sure that is his story but I'm also sure there is more to it. Even after a firing the administration of an organization doesn't always come forward with everything in order to fairly allow the individual an opportunity elsewhere. How many times has a coach been let go under the "we just wanted to go in another direction" reason?

For you to suggest there is some other reason is inappropriate - especially since you have nothing to back up your assertion.

The director told the band he was fired. He told me and others he was fired. He has done nothing but promote FAU sports by having his band at pep rallies, parades, men's and women's games, going through the dorms and campus to drum up fans, playing pre- and post-game shows, at the president's address, posing for the president's personal Christmas card, creating Owls cheers and cheering for teams when there were hardly any fans there and much more.

He has been publicly praised by Schnellenberger, Dugan and Doherty and Brogan has received verbal and written appreciation for the band's efforts. Sound-wise, he produced a heck of a lot with a small group.

They just returned from the women's NCAA tournament, where he got the band national TV attention.

I have heard nothing negative about him.

The only thing negative I heard all year is the confusion surrounding the Nashville departure. After the game, the director was told they would be stayng another nght. He passed on that information to the band, and told them to enjoy the night. Then, after some of them went out for dinner, etc., those who were still at the hotel were told by other officialds to pack up and rush to the airport or possibly be left behind. It was mass confusion. The director did seem to be left out of the loop, but that was not his fault. No one was left behind and the band, cheerleaders, dance team, basketball team and coaches flew home on a charter.

The school won't even admit it fired him, and he continues to teach there until after the spring semester. Brogan and the school never answered my written questions on thre matter.

And finally, it has nothng to do with his job longevity. How long did Angelos work there before he was courted, anyway?

I always felt FIU had a lot of talent on offense in the past years which always worried me headed into the Shula bowls - honestly both programs will attract enough talent to allow both teams to be competitive in the SBC and the Shula bowl game will have a major impact on the success either team have in the SBC standings every year - look at the UM & FSU game, a lost by either team mean a possible lost of any National Title hope, the Shula Bowl could have that same impact as to which team will be competeting for the conference Championship at the end of the year.

What we do have is, a rival that is building momentum and yes with FIU winning big last year and not because they where lucky, but they where the better team on that particular day.

I don't believe for one seond that FIU was lucky last year, they kicked our butts, but let's remember the overall record. We have clearly had the stronger program up to that game. Now it's time to have some fun and build this rivalry.

The Shula trophy called me yesterday and said Dade County stinks and it wants to come home.

fau26 said

I went on FIU's message board at

ERROR: A link was posted here (url) but it appears to be a broken link.

http://fiuathleticscom.proboards20.com/index.cgi

and it looks like they are getting a little bit too over confident and happy after their lucky win last year and getting approved for a new medical School.

New to the board…thanks for allowing me to post.

I am not so sure that you labeling those on our board as being "overconfident" is correct. Maybe "excited" is a better adjective. Excited because we just were approved for a medical school (after 12 years of planning and lobbying). This comes just four years after being approved for a law school and a football program. Speaking of which, we are set to have a new stadium open in 2008 (or so says our administration…never know what delays can come up).

These are accomplishments for our young school. We are not even 35 years old yet. Likewise, FAU should be proud of its recent major accomplishment - landing Scripps. Frank is a good administrator and is doing some positive things up at FAU.

The majority of our fans understand that your squad was young last year. That is probably the main reason why the game turned out so one-sided. Anyone who says otherwise, in my view, is wrong. And yes, beating your school was an accomplishment, a "measuring stick" for our program. After being beaten 3 consecutive years, how could our victory against FAU not be viewed as a major step forward?

Finally, I am not so sure everyone on our board is fine with the direction the football program is going now. Strock took a lot of heat because, as many have noted, he had a team filled with seniors and was not winning. There was credible speculation in the Herald that if he had not won 4 of his last 5 games, he would have been gone. As FIUFanatic said, Schellenberger is a coach with a national title under his belt. In other words, a proven winner. Strock, although having played in super bowls with the Dolphins, is not (on the coaching end).

Thanks again to the administrators for letting me on.

To mhfiu -

I can't speak for anyone else here but I for one am just trying to have a little fun with this thread. I agree with a previous poster that a rivalry only forms if both teams have a chance at winning. I believe FIU's solid win last year will only help in this growing into something we can all have some fum with.

I think both of our schools are very close in acedemics as well as our sports programs. A lot of what we accomplish is guaged against where FIU is and vice versa.

I hope someday this can turn into a FSU vs. Miami or FSU vs. Florida type hatred (I mean rivalry).

Welcome to the board mhfiu. Your posts are always very explanatory and respectful on your board. There are no reasons to thank us for allowing you to post here.

You guys have something exciting going over there and should show your enthusiasm. Enjoy it while it's here.

Don't be a stranger over here.

OG