Tulsa World: OU's Schnellenberger Quits

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OU's Schnellenberger Quits

By Dan O'Kane
Published: 12/19/1995
Last Modified: 2/27/2007 8:12 AM

NORMAN -- The book and movie Howard Schnellenberger said they would
be writing about his stay at the University of Oklahoma will be a
short one.
The OU football coach's reign lasted one year and two days
before he was forced to resign.
Schnellenberger, 61, quit Monday after he realized his support
base within the university had eroded amid rumors involving his
personal life and two days after the Tulsa World reported OU
violated NCAA practice rules.
``My decision has nothing to do with the inaccurate reports or
hurtful rumors that often accompany head coaches and top
programs,'' Schnellenberger said in a press release. ``You can
expect that these days. We did encounter obstacles, some that we
expected and some that we didn't. Overall, my decision is simply
based on a realistic evaluation of the situation, what needs to be
done at OU, and what is best for our family at this point.''
Schnellenberger's one season is the shortest stay for an OU
coach since Jim Mackenzie, in 1966. Mackenzie died following a
heart attack after a 6-4 season. The only other coach in the post
World War II years to stay just one season was Jim Tatum in 1946.
Tatum went 8-3 and then resigned following a Gator Bowl victory to
become coach at Maryland.
This season was much more disappointing.
After spending much of the preseason building up expectations
talking about ``the great things we will do together,''
Schnellenberger's Sooner Nation fell hard.
OU endured its worst record in 30 years, going 5-5-1. Its 2-5
Big Eight record was its worst. Especially damaging was a 12-0 loss
to Oklahoma State in the second-to-last game of the season at
Memorial Stadium. It was the first time OSU defeated the Sooners
since 1976 and the first time the in-state rival shutout OU since
1945.
OU's record was obviously a factor, but a rift between
Schnellenberger and OU president David Boren doomed the coach. It
started before the first game of the season and continued to
splinter as the year went on.
Rumors of Schnellenberger drinking before and during practice
have been prevalent. Players, contacted by the Tulsa World,
confirmed that they smelled alcohol on his breath, but requested
that their names not be used. Schnellenberger has denied the
accusations.
``This decision to resign was made by the coach and I want to
make it clear that neither I nor the athletic director (Donnie
Duncan) nor members of the board of regents have made an issue of
this season's win-loss record with coach Schnellenberger,'' Boren
said in a prepared statement. He did not meet with reporters.
The OU regents may meet Wednesday in order to accept
Schnellenberger's resignation, appoint a search committee and
discuss the settlement of Schnellenberger's contract.
Schnellenberger had four years remaining on his contract. His
base salary was $125,000, plus he had the rights to outside income
such as radio-television, shoe contract and appearances. The
package was estimated worth between $300,000 to $375,000 per year
in addition to his base.
Schnellenberger is expected to be paid what remains of his
$125,000 through June 30, plus expense allowance.
OU is still paying off Gary Gibbs, whom Schnellenberger
succeeded. The OU Foundation will continue to pay on Gibbs'
settlement through June 30.
Duncan said a nationwide search to replace Schnellenberger
will begin immediately.
``Through the process last year and those names that
materialize, we will know who the candidates are,'' Duncan said.
``We will form a search committee and go through the proper
channels. No names or lists will be released.''
A timetable has yet to be set, but ideally Duncan would like
to have a coach in place by Jan. 3 when the recruiting period
re-opens after closing Dec. 23.
Duncan would not comment on any of the rumors that might have
led to Schnellenberger's resignation, although he said the Tulsa
World's report regarding NCAA practice rules violations was not an
issue.
There have been rumors that Boren's office had been building a
case that would lead to Schnellenberger's resignation. The coach's
longtime assistant, Ron Steiner, who has been with Schnellenberger
since he won the national championship at Miami in 1983 and then
for 10 years at Louisville, said Schnellenberger had been hearing
false rumors for weeks.
``Some of the tactics were sinful,'' said Steiner, who spent
most of the day with Schnellenberger in his Norman residence. ``It
was getting worse and worse and the stories were getting crazier
and crazier. Coach was thinking, `What's the point? Life's too
short.' That was his thought process.''
It was only the second time in his career that he had been
fired or forced to resign. He was fired from the Baltimore Colts in
the middle of his second season in 1974. He was head coach of the
U.S. Football League franchise in Miami, but the team folded before
playing a game.
Schnellenberger had a 100-76-3 record as a college head coach.
He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1983 when Miami defeated
Nebraska in the 1984 Orange Bowl to win the national championship.
He rebuilt the Louisville program, guiding it to the Fiesta Bowl in
1990.
``We were well-received by the fans at OU, and were very
appreciative of the tremendous crowds at Memorial Stadium this
year,'' Schnellenberger said. ``Our staff met thousands of great
Sooners throughout the country and our coaches worked as hard as
any I've had to begin the process of rebuilding the OU program. I
felt we made significant progress on many fronts, both on and off
the field, that will serve this program for many years to come.
``But in recent months a climate has developed toward the
program, understandably in some cases and perhaps unfairly in
others, that has changed my outlook on the situation. A change
could help improve that climate. My decision has nothing to do with
any rules problems, because we have been diligent in adhering to
the rules at OU and throughout our career.''
By Dan O'Kane

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