For thirteen years, Howard Schnellenberger has been the head coach of the FAU football team. On Thursday, he announced this would be his final season with the Owls.                                         

Schnellenberger is the first and only head coach the FAU football program has ever had. Not only did he get the program started, but he lead the Owls to two bowl games and is the main inspiration for the on-campus football stadium being built right now.

“We set the contract to get the new stadium and have me coach the first year in it,” Schnellenberger said.

Schnellenberger plans to remain the head coach for the 2011 season, after which he will officially retire and become an ambassador to FAU athletics.

“I’m thrilled that he has accepted the position at the culmination of this year,” FAU President Mary Jane Saunders said. “I so look forward to working with him.”

The Owls will play their first game in the new stadium on October 15 against Western Kentucky. Schnellenberger plans to end his final season the best way possible.

“We intend to win the conference,” Schnellenberger said. “We intend to make the playoffs, and to win in the-whatever-bowl-it-might-be, and to finish up this tenure on a positive note.”