Tom Herman has been fired as head coach of the Florida Atlantic Owls before completing his second season. The former Texas and Houston coach, who had a strong resume, leaves with a 6-16 overall record, including an underperforming 2-8 mark this year, as reported by Palm Beach Post. Despite his struggles, Herman is set to receive nearly $4 million due to the remaining years on his contract.
The Owls have clearly faced significant challenges, highlighted by a five-game losing streak and a dismal 0-6 record in the American Athletic Conference following their recent overtime loss to Temple. Special teams coordinator Chad Lunsford has been appointed as interim head coach and will lead the team through their final two games against Charlotte and Tulsa. Brian White, the school's director of athletics, made it clear, in words echoed by CBS News Miami, that FAU's ambition still lies in winning championships and competing for bowl games, and that the search for a coach who can fulfill these expectations is underway.
Roc Bellantoni, the former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach who was let go by Herman earlier this month, is reportedly in talks to return to the coaching staff, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. The shake-up has caught the attention of the Owls' players, with quarterback Kasen Weisman reacting to Herman's firing with a simple "Wow" and three broken heart emojis on social media, reflecting the turmoil surrounding the team, as reported by Palm Beach Post.
Herman's arrival at FAU was met with optimism, as fans hoped his successful tenure at Houston and a respectable stint at Texas would elevate the program. However, after a promising start, the Owls' performance dramatically declined. This season, nearly half of the roster was reshuffled through the transfer portal, yet injuries and on-field struggles continued. The team faced setbacks, including the use of a third-string quarterback and a wide receiver and defensive back corps decimated by injuries. Now, as all the other college teams branded as Owls have ousted their head coaches this season, FAU joins the unsettling trend, noted by Palm Beach Post.
For potential candidates, the appeal of the FAU head coaching position lies in the opportunity to revive a program that experienced recent success under Lane Kiffin.
