Tag: Howard Schnellenberger

How first-year Oklahoma head coaches performed since 1947

With Brent Venables taking the reigns for the Oklahoma Sooners, let’s take a look back to see how former OU coaches performed in year 1.

Though initially it came as a shock to see Lincoln Riley leave for USC, it feels like the Sooners might have ended up in a better situation with Brent Venables as the newest head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. While there’s a lot of excitement about the future, there’s no guarantee it leads to the same amount of wins or more in Venables’ first year on the job.

The pieces are certainly in place and aside from the guys along the defensive front, the Sooners look to be in great shape to rebound in 2022 and get back to the Big 12 title game and contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. It’s a tall task in year one, but Venables and the Sooners are in better shape than many first-year head coaches were when they took over at Oklahoma.

Let’s take a look at how former Oklahoma Sooners head coaches performed in their first season on the job.

How does every Oklahoma Sooners head coach stack up by win totals?

As the Oklahoma Sooners search for their next head coach, let’s take a look at how each of their former head coaches stacks up by win totals.

Lincoln Riley’s tenure as Oklahoma Sooners head coach ended in an auspicious manner as he bailed on the Sooners for USC Trojans. His tenure will go down as a blip in the big scheme of things. His 55 wins rank fifth all-time in wins behind legends of Norman. But those 55 wins are 67 wins behind fourth-place Bennie Owen.

He’ll be remembered for some of the individual awards his players achieved, but Riley will also be remembered for the underachievement of his teams and the way he departed the program.

Unlike the coaches that have more than twice as many wins as he does, Riley won’t be remembered fondly around Norman and won’t have a statue built anytime soon.

But as Oklahoma looks for their next head coach, let’s take a look at how each of the 22 head coaches in Oklahoma’s history ranks in total wins from worst to first.

Note: SoonerSports.com lists no coach for the 1896 season.  

Howard Schnellenberger’s impact on college football was immeasurable

With Howard Schnellenberger’s passing, let’s take a look at his impact on college football, from Miami to Louisville to Florida Atlantic.

The college football world lost a legend in Howard Schnellenberger, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 87.

Schnellenberger was the architect of college football in South Florida — between leading the Miami Hurricanes to their first national championship and bringing football to Florida Atlantic — and his impact in college football as a whole was immeasurable.

Given Schnellenberger’s contributions at the collegiate level, it’s shocking that he still hasn’t been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame following a career that spanned 27 seasons and included rebuilds with Miami, Louisville and the creation of football at Florida Atlantic.

With Schnellenberger’s passing, let’s take a look at his impact on college football, from Miami to Louisville to Florida Atlantic.

Former Miami, FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger dies at 87 and College Football fans everywhere mourned him

Howard Schnellenberger was a college football legend.

Former Florida Atlantic University and Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger passed away on Saturday morning, FAU announced on Saturday on behalf of his family.

Schnellenberger had a lengthy coaching career that stretched across 27 years with time spent in Miami, Louisville and FAU at different points. He amassed a 158-151-3 record through that time. His fingerprints are all over college football history.

He was also the architect of the first Miami Hurricanes team to win a national championship in 1983. Everyone remembers the University of Miami teams and how both incredibly cool and good at football they were. Schnellenberger’s team was the beginning of that.

The college football world mourned the loss.

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Former college, Colts coach Howard Schnellenberger dies at 87

Coaching great Howard Schnellenberger has died at the age of 87, Florida Atlantic University announced on Saturday.

Coaching great Howard Schnellenberger has died at the age of 87, Florida Atlantic University announced on Saturday.

Schnellenberger held head coaching positions with the Baltimore Colts and in college for the University of Miami, University of Oklahoma, University of Louisville, and Florida Atlantic University. He won a national championship with Miami in 1983.

Schnellenberger was an assistant coach at the college and pro levels, including as part of the staff of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.

He is also recruited Joe Namath to Alabama for Bear Bryant in 1961.

Schnellenberger succeeded John Sandusky as head coach of the Baltimore Colts on Feb. 14, 1973. The Colts went 4–10–0 in his one full season but managed to upset the defending Super Bowl champion Dolphins towards the end of the 1973 season. He was fired three games into the next season.

Per FAUSports.com:

Beverlee Schnellenberger, who is grateful for the 61 years of marriage to Howard and enjoyed every moment of their life together as well as their football journey, expressed the Schnellenberger family’s appreciation, thanking those who have sent love and prayers, especially through the last several weeks and months. The couple met in 1958 and moved through life with Howard referring to Beverlee as either his bride or his assistant head coach.

“Howard always allowed me to be a part of his football life,” said Beverlee. “Watching him on the sidelines was an opportunity that gave us a special closeness – win or lose – that not many wives get. Even though he never smiled, he was always smiling in his heart. We loved all the moves and challenges. I will miss his warm heart, his warm hands and soft kisses. Howard always treated me special, like a queen, and was truly a husband that every Canadian girl dreams of. You will always be my love, now and forever. I’m proud to be your wife. You were a great leader of men and the leader of our lives.”

Coach Schnellenberger (March 16, 1934 – March 27, 2021) touched so many lives and left an impact upon those who were viewed by his steely blue eyes or addressed by his signature baritone voice. His impact will be carried on through today’s leaders and through the strong men and women who were lucky to fall under his tutelage.

A story that explains the how the Schnellenberger Family Foundation came to be can be read if you click here.