On Saturday Morning, Louisville and the football world learned that legendary Coach Howard Schnellenberger passed away at age 87. He coached the Cardinals from 1985-1994 with a record of 54-56-2. Coach Schnellenberger also led the Cardinals to their first New Year’s Day Bowl against Alabama in 1991 Fiesta Bowl winning 34-7. He will be surely missed by all the football community and will always be a Cardinal in our hearts. Prayers out to his family and his former players.
Our thoughts are with the family of Howard Schnellenberger.
The impact he had as a coach at Louisville & on the game of football is immeasurable. pic.twitter.com/cutdU7nwKa
— Louisville Football (@UofLFootball) March 27, 2021
Coach meant so much to me. He recruited me to Louisville and called to convince me to stay and give a new coach a chance. I trapped to him a few months ago and glad I got to. I will never forget you coach. Rest in peace. https://t.co/BWliwJezr5
— #Ble55ed™ (@Jeremy_CSZ) March 27, 2021
I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to spend time with Coach Schnellenberger! A true legend of our game!! I am very thankful for his legacy! ❤️🙏🏼 https://t.co/vIbSsv907R pic.twitter.com/zQlZGcsAoS
— Coach Satterfield (@CoachSattUofL) March 27, 2021
Rest In Peace to college football legend Howard Schnellenberger. So fortunate to meet him a couple years back!
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) March 27, 2021
@GoCards lost a legend and a valuable piece of our legacy. Coach Howard Schnellenberger fostered hope and success in our football program. It’s an honor to have known him and have his support. RIP Coach Pipe and our best to Beverlee and their extended family. pic.twitter.com/IPXLTSDybE
— Vince Tyra (@vincetyra) March 27, 2021
So sad to hear of the passing of Coach Schnellenberger. With his pipe in hand, he inspired us to dream bigger & was the driving force for our beautiful stadium that we enjoy today. Rest In Peace Coach 🙏 pic.twitter.com/7x46WLCraA
— Kenny Klein (@KKcards) March 27, 2021
Thank you #HowardSchnellenberger you taught me a valuable lesson about mental toughness, what it takes to be successful & play like CARDS: Competitive Arrogance & a Relentless Determination to Succeed. 🙏🏿 #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/Oe8Vl5cKAc
— Roman Oben (@R_Oben) March 27, 2021
RIP coach #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/pkgAAvNv92
— Jeff Nunn (@UofLNunn) March 27, 2021
The OU family joins in mourning the loss of former head football coach Howard Schnellenberger. #RIP https://t.co/TJ48Z0DbDG
— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) March 27, 2021
Without him, there is no Miami Football.
Howard Schnellenberger leaves behind a legacy more impactful than he’ll ever know.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/7lwHhUGSnx
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) March 27, 2021
— #WinningInParadise (@FAUAthletics) March 27, 2021
— Jeff Brohm (@JeffBrohm) March 27, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Howard Schnellenberger. pic.twitter.com/cvDEl1q6C3
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 27, 2021
Former Louisville quarterback Browning Nagle on Howard Schnellenberger's ability to build programs: "His fearlessness translated into our fearlessness. His visions became our visions." pic.twitter.com/Lq8pUB6GoB
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) March 27, 2021
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Former University of Louisville head football coach Howard Schnellenberger passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 87.
Schnellenberger spent 10 seasons as head coach of the Cardinals from 1985-94, posting an overall record of 54-56-2. Despite his record, his contributions to the program were immeasurable. He inherited a program that had endured six consecutive losing seasons before leading the Cardinals back into the Top 25. He also was influential in helping the program build a 42,000 seat football stadium that has been expanded twice since its inception in 1998. The 60,800-seat facility is the only all chairback stadium in the country.
After going 8–24–1 in his first three years, Schnellenberger was able to turn the program around and go 24–9–1 over the next three seasons. During his 10-year career, he led the Cardinals to a pair of bowl wins. The Cardinals posted a 34–7 win over nationally ranked Alabama in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl, capping a 10–1–1 season and the school’s first appearance in a final poll (11th). The Fiesta Bowl appearance was the school’s first in a New Year’s Day game. UofL also posted a win over Michigan State in the 1993 Liberty Bowl.
Vice -President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra
“Coach Schnellenberger fostered hope and success in our football program. His legacy lives on as we continue chasing the “variable of time” per his memorable quote. Our best to Beverlee and their extended family.”
Louisville Head Football Coach Scott Satterfield
“I’m very saddened to hear the news of Coach Schnellenberge’s passing today. He was one of the giants in college football and his impact on the sport in the state of Kentucky is immeasurable. The building that we walk through every day was created by the values that he built. Coach Schnellenberger set the standard of leadership for this position and his impact on the game will always be felt at the University of Louisville.”
