Take one step back and look at this epic rivalry trophy that is being introduced for the Miami-Louisville to honor the late, great Howard Schnellenberger.
Howard Schnellenberger was important to Miami's rise as a program as he was to Louisville's.
Although he did well at FAU, and Oklahoma would beg to differ, Schnellenberger's name is iconic when it comes to Hurricanes and Cardinals football. He was the first head coach to lead the Canes to a national title, as well as helped add legitimacy to the Cards when they were starting to make a turn as a program in the 1980s and 1990s. Since they both play in the ACC, how about a trophy???
Behold, the Schnellenberger Trophy! These are the actual boots the former head coach wore now bronzed up to perfection, baby! Winning this means more than beating Florida State or Kentucky.
Let's be real, y'all. You can never not have enough rivalry game trophies. The more, the merrier!
Howard Schnellenberger Trophy to boot in the emerging Miami-Louisville rivalry
For as cool as these bronzed boots are, it is just as uncool that Schnellenberger is not in the College Football Hall of Fame. In fact, he will never be eligible. This has everything to do with win/loss percentage, the same sort of principle that could keep Mike Leach out forever as well. These two unforgettable head coaches went about things differently, but they both got results.
Schnellenberger's greatest claim to fame as a coach was establishing legitimacy to otherwise brandless football programs. Miami was dog water before he took over in Coral Gables. The U is not The U without him. Schnellenberger paved the way for other great Miami coaches, whether that be Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson, Butch Davis or even Larry Coker. He changed the game.
Although Louisville is not the program of Miami, you can win plenty of games there and be sort of nationally relevant. With Jeff Brohm taking over at his alma mater, look for the significance of this emerging rivalry game to take flight. Keep in mind that former Hurricanes offensive lineman Mario Cristobal is now in year two at the helm on Coral Gables. Miami vs. Louisville is about to be so legit.
If you cannot win the College Football Playoff, these Schnellenberger boots are made for hoisting!
