Howard Schnellenberger

30 Mar Howard Schnellenberger

I had to sit and write this after learning of the passing of Howard Schnellenberger. My wife and I were very saddened to hear of the passing of Howard. Howard had been a very dear friend for many years.

I have so many found memories with Howard and I felt it would be great to share at least one story that communicates the passion Howard had for Boca Raton and South Florida and the Owl’s. One of which happened shortly after he had taken on the job of building the new football program at FAU. He called me and asked if I would have lunch with him at the FAU campus.  At the time he was working out of a trailer on the campus and was so excited to show me his vision. We jumped in his car and he proceeded to drive his car around the campus showing me all the places he had plans for. What was funny about that ride that day was we didn’t drive the streets on the campus, Howard drove his car across the grass between the buildings, much like someone would ride there lawn mower on their front lawn. As we drove around I said to Howard “don’t you think we should stay on the streets” Howard replied, “driving this ways is quicker and we have a lot to get done and I need to create a lot of attention in what I’m going to do here.”  He did create a lot of attention that afternoon driving around, hundreds of students and teachers were looking at us driving around on the grass and sidewalks in amazement. That lunch meeting would change my schedule and life for the next few years, because Howard would talk me into donating my time and resources to help him fund raise for the football program, producing dozens of videos, commercials, PSAs and funding raising videos. Howard and I would also create his FAU Coach’s television series that Howard hosted with Jimmy Cefalo. The series would run on television for a number of years. I have to thanks Books Parson Jr. for all of his hard work that he did on the series, and I mention Brooks because the last time I saw Howard we talked about how hard Brooks had worked on the show. We also talked about how it was the only coaches show Howard ever hosted or was part of that won an Emmy Award the fifth of the six that I have received.

I find is amazing that the college football hall of fame has never  inducted Howard into it. From what I understand he did not have a high enough winning percentage to make the vote. But when you look at his career… the 1972 Miami Dolphins Offensive coach (a super bowl win and perfect season), University Miami National Championship and he join the University at a point when the University was thinking of getting rid of football, but Howard came in and turned it around and won the National Championship, the 1983 Orange Bowl win is widely considered to be one of the best games of college football ever. He turned around the football programs at Louisville and Oklahoma. Howard took on teams that we at the bottom and made them dynasty’s. He was the assistant coach under Bear Bryant, he recruited so many greats like Joe Namath. I ask that anyone who reads this write an email to the hall of fame pushing them to induct Howard – info@cfbhall.com.

Howard was should a tremendous influence in so many people’s lives. When I think back about how many people’s lives were changed for the better because of Howard, it’s amazing. I am certainly one of them.

Howard we will miss you. Thanks for all the wonderful memories, great times and being a fantastic friend and mentor to me and so many others.

Scott Woolley