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Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

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Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

Fans of opposing teams often claim that when Howard Schnellenberger retires (for good) from the FAU program, there will be no more incentive for good players (especially QBs) to come here and the program will descend into mediocrity.

From what I've read, Coach's contract runs until 2011. I believe FAU will ask him to renew (3 years? 5 years?) and he has stated on his blog and over the radio that as long as he has the health, he'll be happy to coach for FAU.

So what happens in 2011 if he doesn't feel healthy enough to renew… who do you think FAU could (or should) go after as the next head coach? Do you think they'd promote Gary Nord?

We have a habit of making splashy hires but I don't think we could get a Steve Spurrier-type (although my friend argues that we could because he loves to golf every morning and what does Boca have plenty of? Golf courses)
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

Let's just cross that bridge when we get to it.  There will be no shortage of good candidates that would love to take over this program.  By the time Howard decides to call it a career, we'll have a new stadium and a program that has established a winning tradition.  Both will make this a very desirable destination for head coaching candidates.  When he does, you can bet Coach will leave his team in the hands of the best person for the job possible.  I'm not concerned at all about this. 
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

yah i cant see him walking away from a program that he built, and not care about who follows him.....he will be active in the hiring process but for the mean time......lets enjoy Schnelly while he is here!
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

Schnelly will say forever.

And if he doesn't, maybe Jimmy Johnson?

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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

As director of football operations coach will have a direct role in the selection of FAU's second football coach. FAU football will be fine.

GO OWLS!!!

2017 and 2019 Conference USA Champions
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

smittysahoot said

Schnelly will say forever.

And if he doesn't, maybe Jimmy Johnson?

Johnson is 64. Hard to believe. We would be getting in the pattern of hiring football coaches on their last fling. Johnson would be good though. Nord is a good age for a long term stay. His name has been mentioned. He has head coaching experience I've heard Schnellenberger is grooming him for the head coaching position. The best coaches have always learned from the best coaches.

FAU - THE REAL SLEEPING GIANT
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

This program should be in great shape when he does decide to hang it up.  IMO, he will be here a while, he was born to be a coach and when he was doing something other the coaching football, realized that.  It's his life, probably the only thing keeping him young  ;)

This has been discussed earlier and some have said that Nord was being groomed for the position, and does have head coaching experience.
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

Bytor said

This program should be in great shape when he does decide to hang it up.  IMO, he will be here a while, he was born to be a coach and when he was doing something other the coaching football, realized that.  It's his life, probably the only thing keeping him young  ;)

This has been discussed earlier and some have said that Nord was being groomed for the position, and does have head coaching experience.

I think Nord is a great guy and I know the players love him… I just hope Nord is better with FAU than he was at UTEP:

"The Louisville, KY, native served as head coach for four seasons (2000-2003) at the University of Texas El Paso, where he tallied a 14-34 record.

Still, he somehow got them to the Humanitarian Bowl, recieved votes for Top-25 polls and improved their offense.



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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

UTEP sucked before he got there, and they pretty much have sucked after he left.  Nord is a solid coach, he was playing with the leftovers of the previous coach.  Just look at what they did the 2 years after he left… both 8 win seasons with bowl games, played with Nord's players.

Follow the Nord Star.

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: Who will guide the Owls after Howard?

SeminOWL2006 said

UTEP sucked before he got there, and they pretty much have sucked after he left.  Nord is a solid coach, he was playing with the leftovers of the previous coach.  Just look at what they did the 2 years after he left… both 8 win seasons with bowl games, played with Nord's players.

Follow the Nord Star.

Yeah it said they were decimated with injuries in their 2002 season too…
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