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College Football Media Days: FAU's Schnellenberger has a new ring to show off
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TAMPA — From his cotton-white hair to his black cowboy boots, Howard Schnellenberger hadn't changed a bit.
He took the microphone and roamed the front of the room, the only coach in town who didn't answer questions behind a table atop the dais.
Like any other year.
The only difference this time, it turns out, was the piece of jewelry he wore on his left hand, the one with a fresh blue stone planted in the middle.
Used to be, Schnellenberger wore his 1983 national championship ring on that hand, the symbol of the 74-year-old's success building Miami's program.
"I took that ring off," the Florida Atlantic coach said, in his grandfatherly twang, "and put it in the drawer. I put this one on to take its place."
Thursday marked Schnellenberger's latest chance to brag about how far FAU, the program he started eight years ago, has come and where he envisions it going, as he worked the room at the Florida Sports Writers Association College Football Media Days.
And this time, he could point to the team's breakthrough 8-5 season as proof. The Owls won the Sun Belt Conference title last year, then blew by Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl to earn their first championship rings.
With 18 starters back, Schnellenberger, one of college football's most decorated coaches, figures more of that is in the offing.
"Once you get to the point we are now," he said, "anything can happen."
Excuse Schnellenberger if he gives the Owls a shot against anybody these days -- even Texas, the opponent in FAU's Aug. 30 opener. Or Michigan State. Or Minnesota, a team they stunned in Dolphin Stadium a year ago.
FAU, led by star quarterback Rusty Smith's big right arm, is the consensus pick to win the Sun Belt again this year.
But that might not be enough.
When someone asked Schnellenberger if South Florida, an emerging Big East power, had turned Florida's traditional Big Three -- Florida, Florida State and Miami -- into the Big Four, the coach took exception.
"How about a Big Seven?" he said, throwing South Florida, Central Florida, Florida International and, of course, FAU into the mix.
Schnellenberger loves talking up the Owls, quick to point out that FAU was the only team in the state that won a bowl game last year.
He has the ring to prove it.
"When we take the field now," he said, "we go into every game we play feeling we can compete and win."
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