Sports World Mourns The Loss Of Legendary College Football Coach Howard Schnellenberger

In the 1970s, the University of Miami was contemplating dropping its football program. The losses kept coming, and fans were becoming disinterested with the team.

And then Howard Schnellenberger arrived in 1979. He was able to completely turn the program around in little to no time. The Hurricanes won the 1983 National Championship, and a dynasty was started in Miami.

Howard Schnellenberger would go on to build up the programs at Louisville and Florida Atlantic, as well. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest coaches of all-time.

So it hit a lot of people when it was announced today that Howard Schnellenberger has passed away at 87-years old.

Howard Schnellenberger has died, FAU announces.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 27, 2021

[sportsbookaffiliates]

Many people in and around college football took to social media to react to Schnellenberger’s passing.

Hard to even put into words what Howard Schnellenberger meant and will always mean to South Florida sports. The football town we’ve become owes so much to what he did. RIP Coach. Prayers to his family 🙏🏻

— Will Manso (@WillManso) March 27, 2021

Definitely the first football coach of any kind I idolized as a kid

Will always be thankful for what he did for UofL Foootball

RIP Coach Howard Schnellenberger pic.twitter.com/mZ2WrqmHXD

— ᴋᴇᴠɪɴ ᴡʀɪɢʜᴛ (@KLW0408) March 27, 2021

https://twitter.com/RedReign808613/status/1375805716385181702

RIP Coach. Hopefully they bury you with pipe. pic.twitter.com/VxafMuXhmw

— SethAsherWeitz (@SethAsherW) March 27, 2021

My heart broke after hearing this news. He was my biggest inspiration as a coach. He was the ultimate program builder, a savior. RIP Coach. My heart goes out the Beverly https://t.co/TY4uWCVcJN

— Coach Jalen Madison (@jmadthrows) March 27, 2021

When you get down to it, not many, if any, have impacted the South Florida football landscape like Howard Schnellenberger. RIP, coach.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) March 27, 2021

The only variable is time…RIP coach. Get this man in the HoF. https://t.co/8zIKc2xfS4

— Christopher Bishop (@ChrisBishopL1C4) March 27, 2021

Schellenberger was both the coach who started the legend of The U and the greatest coach to ever rock a mustache & pipe combination https://t.co/CDSAzlmD2J pic.twitter.com/EJWF4Y31ru

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 27, 2021

RIP Howard Schnellenberger. When I left 790 to do afternoons on 560, we hired Coach Schnellenberger to be the voice of the show. We wanted someone w/ a recognizable voice, who truly represented South Florida sports. He was that guy. He will be missed. 🙌 🦉 pic.twitter.com/18qY96u1Mc

— Marc Hochman (@MarcHochman) March 27, 2021

Howard Schnellenberger’s wife, Beverlee, shared a statement after his death was announced.

“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,” she said.

Howard Schnellenberger had an incredible impact on and off the football field. But it’s on the field where he’ll likely be most remembered. Other than his head coaching gigs, coach Schnellenberger was also the OC on the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins team.

His impact on sports in Florida is simply unmatched.

RIP coach, you will be missed.

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