Howard Schnellenberger, who took Miami to his first national championship and, in the process, turned a once fragile football program into a dynasty, died on Saturday, his family announced. He was 87 years old.
What Schnellenberger did in Miami remains one of the biggest transformations in the history of college football. Prior to his arrival in 1979, Miami managers considered abandoning the sport as losses increased and morale plummeted.
But after helping deliver the 1983 national championship, Miami won three more national titles in the next six seasons. Although he was only there for the 1983 title, the speed and athleticism that hurricanes first exhibited under Schnellenberger became a model for programs across the country.
“The loss of Coach Schnellenberger is immeasurable in many ways for the University of Miami family,” said AD Blake James of Miami in a prepared statement. “He helped our university to grow over a critical period of time and laid a foundation for future success, on the football field and beyond. Our thoughts are with his family, friend, former colleagues and players. He will be a hurricane for ever.”
Its impact went beyond Miami. Schnellenberger later revitalized his hometown, Louisville Cardinals, and built Florida football from scratch, leaving an indelible mark on three college football programs over the course of three decades.
His baritone voice, thick mustache and ever-present pipe made him seem more of a businessman than a football coach, but they became as synonymous with Schnellenberger as his tendency to embrace recovery projects.
He did this first with Miami, a job that his friends advised him to avoid because it seemed like a dead end. Schnellenberger saw something else and declared that Miami would win a national championship in five years. He intensified discipline within the program and focused his recruiting efforts mainly on the untapped potential across South Florida, declaring the area the “State of Miami”.
It didn’t take long for Miami to gain national relevance, culminating in the 1984 Orange Bowl against Nebraska, a game that is among the sport’s biggest surprises.
Miami entered as the underdog in its field. But when Kenny Calhoun hit Turner Gill’s 2-point conversion pass, the hurricanes sealed the 31-30 turn and the first national championship in school history.
In a post-game interview, Schnellenberger said, “This was a love affair that has been going on for five years, and tonight was a dream come true. I say fulfillment. It may just be the beginning of a dream.”
RIP to the legend that started it all … pic.twitter.com/Nr8EEvScXc
– Manny Diaz (@Coach_MannyDiaz) March 27, 2021
It was, but Schnellenberger was not there to see it firsthand. Schnellenberger left the Hurricanes after the championship season to work on a USFL team planned for Miami. At the time, he told The Miami Herald that he left because he felt limited by Miami’s athletic budget and could not refuse the $ 3 million contract offer.
But the team never materialized and Schnellenberger was left out of the 1984 football season.
In 2011, Schnellenberger said of leaving Miami: “If you look at it objectively, it was the most stupid thing a human being could do.”
But being away for a year as a coach gave him the opportunity to return home to Louisville, where he became the head coach in 1985. He promised national championships there as well, and although he didn’t win any, he revitalized a program that was worse state of what Miami was when he took over. During his 10 years as a head coach, Louisville won a Fiesta Bowl and Schnellenberger led the construction of a stadium on campus. The current football complex takes its name.
He left in 1995 to become the Oklahoma coach, another decision he regretted. After a miserable 5-5-1 season, Schnellenberger resigned under pressure.
Schnellenberger would have one more opportunity to be a coach, in the state where he excelled. In 1998, a temporary school in Boca Raton, Florida, wanted to start a football program. Schnellenberger was chosen as director of football operations for Florida Atlantic and later decided to coach the team. He had an accelerated vision for the Owls: after three years at the FCS level, they would become an FBS program.
By this time, he had gotten rid of the pipe for health reasons, but he still wore his trademark sport coat, suspenders and tie. During his time as head coach, FAU went to two bowl games and built a stadium on campus as well. When he retired in 2011, Schnellenberger had compiled an overall record of 158-151-3. The stadium pitch is also named after him.
His resume includes not only championship rings (three won as an assistant in Alabama, one with the undefeated Miami Dolphins in 1972 and one with Miami 1983), but also the defenders he trained or recruited. As an assistant to Alabama in 1962, Schnellenberger convinced top recruit Joe Namath to sign with Tide in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
With the hurricanes, he trained Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde, the basis for the nickname “Quarterback U” that Miami once owned.
Thank you, Coach Howard, words cannot describe the Respect, Admiration and Love I have for U and Beverly 💕The words “U is important” because of U Coach 🏈 U is important 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/VtEyn2aMwb
– Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) March 27, 2021
Then there are the coaches he learned from. Schnellenberger played for Paul “Bear” Bryant in Kentucky and later trained with him in Alabama; he also trained NFL Hall of Fame members George Allen and Don Shula. Schnellenberger had his chance as head coach of the NFL, leaving the Dolphins after the 1972 season to take over the Baltimore Colts. But his tenure lasted 17 games – he was fired after a dispute with the owner after a 0-3 start in 1974.
Schnellenberger was born on March 16, 1934, in Louisville, and played the tight end in Kentucky from 1952 to 1955, earning honors from All-America in his senior year. After a short stint at CFL, he began his career as a technician in his alma mater before joining Bryant in Alabama.
After retiring from FAU, he served as an ambassador for the school and remained in the South Florida area. When Miami and FAU first met in 2013, Schnellenberger was named an honorary co-captain.
Survivors include his wife, Beverlee, children Stuart and Tim and three grandchildren. He was deceased by his son Stephen.