i dont want to see coach go but i speak to outsiders all the time and they have a different view than i do. i am told coach is staying way past his time and that if we had a fireball of a coach with a 2000 style philosophy than we would be in the top 25 by now. i was told that coker would come in here with his 2 top coaches he had at miami if something horrific happened to schnelly. this source is a writer for a major publication. he tells me coker would be here in a flash from san antonio and that our A.D. has or had plans in the works for 9 months now. any thoughts or knowledge of this that you want to share?

That's quite interesting.

The way I see it is that Schnellenberger will coach at least until the stadium is built - and possibly even after that.

And there is no doubt that he has earned that right.

That said, I'm not sure what the plan is, but it would be foolish to talk about who would follow him because we don't know who will be available when that happens. Remember, Coker has a job now at UTSA.

Personally, I'd like to see a scenario where Schnellenberger picks who follows him, such as Kurt Van Valkenburgh, and then stays on in a fund-raising role.

If someone thinks we would be in the Top 25 in another scenario, they are smoking something. 

Howard gets to choose when he leaves.  When he does, I hope his replacement is someone similar that is here because they want to continue to build, and not some up and coming superstar that will leave at the next best offer.

For comparison, look to our south and see a similar university in FIU and see what they have accomplished in about the same time, in the same geographic area, recruiting the same players...and you will easily see the value that Coach has had on our program...and in a very short time.  It took the Florida Gators about 80 years to become relevant.  We are on the fast track.

I'll just throw it out there...

Would FAU be contending for the Top 25 if the stadium opened last year?

Simply put, NO.  While the stadium will make recruiting easier, the recruits will still be second tier for quite some time, or until the team has continued success, wins the conference and a few bowl games.

there is no feeling like the one you will have when you see coach coming out of the tunnell at an away game and every person including policemen and women and band leaders of the away team gaulking at coach and wanting to shake his hand and taking pictures of him.

the sidelines are in control and the players and staff are very professional. with that being said there is still the part of winning games and making tough decissions DURING the game. i do not want to see him go,EVER. i stick up for him all the time and i have his back at any time but i just opened this up for discussion because i just needed fire power to combat these writers/reporters who have a different take. question still remains_____    WHO WOULD REPLACE THE COACH? AND WHEN?

I think it is impossible to know "who" until you know the "when."  Big difference if he is around 2 more years or 5 more because a lot can happen to other coaches that may or may not be available. 

Also will our budget be in a better place when the time comes?  It will need to be in order to attract someone.  We have an incredible coach for the money we spend.  That will not be easily duplicated.  Most likely needs to be someone else that has already been there and done that and is looking for an opportunity to finish their career by carrying on what HS started.

I know there is a strong desire to contend with the big boys immediately, but don't overlook what FAU has accomplished so far. Two bowl victories in the first 10 years is impressive. In reality, simply making it to one bowl was a lofty goal.

Obviously the stadium will help the program grow and having Howard Schnellenberger coach will continue to raise the program's profile. Schnellenberger will be at FAU as long as he chooses - as it should be, He's earned it.

Trying to predict his successor at this point can be interesting bar talk, but that's all.

Schnelly has taken us from 0 to playing in I-A bowl games in 10 years.

If I would fault schnelly for anything it would be for being too loyal to his assistants(especially that defensive coach last year) , he cant carry the team himself. I think it is a mistake for him to not actively recruit proven Junior College players like Troy does.