Schnellenberger Health Scare, OK For Gators Match-up
PORT ST. LUCIE (CBSMiami) - The Florida Atlantic University Owls will open their season against the Florida Gators Saturday night, and their legendary coach will be on the sidelines despite a brief health scare Friday as the team traveled to Gainesville.
Coach Howard Schnellenberger, in his last year leading the team, was briefly hospitalized Friday after he started to experience pain while the team bus was parked on the shoulder due to overheating.
The team doctor, who was traveling with the team, advised Schnellenberger to have tests done as a precaution, so the coach was taken by ambulance to a hospital in nearby Port St. Lucie.
Schnellenberger underwent hip replacement surgery August 12th, and team officials said the pain may have been caused by the cramped quarters during the lengthy bus trip.
FAU said the tests came back without indicating a problem, and Schnellenberger rejoined the team. They play University of Florida in Gainesville at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Schnellenberger has coached 52 years for college and NFL teams, and led the University of Miami to it's first national championship.
He is the architect of the FAU football program, and announced last month he would retire at the end of this season.
