(03-27-2021 09:39 AM)ChrisLords Wrote: Since he meant so much to Miami and Louisville, I thought it was worth posting.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...er-dies-87
From the article ...
But sitting out one year from coaching afforded him an opportunity to go home to Louisville, where he became head coach in 1985. He promised national championships there too, and though he didn't win any, he revitalized a program that was in worse shape than Miami was when he took over. During his 10 years as head coach, Louisville won a Fiesta Bowl and Schnellenberger spearheaded the construction of an on-campus stadium. The current football complex bears his name.
Schnelly took over a Louisville program that had lost to Murray State, Indiana State and Tennessee State the season before, and salvaged the football program.
Without Schnelly ...
... there is NO new football stadium;
... there is NO Fiesta Bowl victory;
... there is NO Orange Bowl victory;
... there is NO Sugar Bowl victory;
... there is NO invitations to the Big East and ACC conferences;
... and there is NO Lamar Jackson and the Heisman Trophy.
I realize he did more in less time at Miami, but what he did in Louisville is freakin' miraculous.
The guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, despite his winning percentage, a stupid measuring stick the HOF has in place.
Locally, Louisville has lost two huge football giants ... Paul Hornung last year, and now Howard Schnellenberger today. Those guys were one year apart at Flaget High School. I can't imagine lining up against those two in high school.
RIP Coach. Thanks for instilling your dream in the rest of us.
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Legendary college football coach Howard Schnellenberger dies at 87
