Miami practice nears and Canes head to ACC media days as Schnellenberger Trophy unveiled
Leave it to the late, beloved Howard Schnellenberger, always a friend of the media’s, to get injected into University of Miami, and yes, Louisville Cardinals, news — good news, naturally — on the eve of the annual Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff and eight days before UM opens fall camp Aug. 1.
After all, Schnellenberger’s mark was made on both programs, though none as illustrious as Miami’s first national title in 1983.
With UM coach Mario Cristobal, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, All-American safety Kamren Kinchens and center Matt Lee headed to Charlotte, North Carolina for the ACC’s media days, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Monday that beginning this fall, Miami and Louisville “will compete for a newly created trophy unique to college football —The Schnellenberger Trophy.”
“The trophy features the actual Western dress boots, now bronzed, worn by Coach Howard Schnellenberger when he led both programs to national prominence,’’ the Louisville Sports Commission noted.
Louisville comes to Hard Rock Stadium this season on Nov. 18. And last summer, the ACC announced a new football scheduling model that will go into effect beginning this season, which for the Hurricanes starts Sept. 1 at home against Miami of Ohio. The new model is based on a structure that has each of the ACC’s 14 teams facing three “primary opponents” annually and the other 10 league teams twice — once home and once away — during a four-year cycle.
UM’s primary opponents are Florida State, Boston College and Louisville, all formerly in the Atlantic Division. So the Canes and Cards will play each other every year. This will be the first season that divisions will be eliminated, making it that much harder for Miami, which finished 5-7 in 2022, to get into the ACC Championship in Charlotte. But if the Canes prevail, it would be that much more gratifying.
“Miami is excited to partner with our colleagues at Louisville to present The Schnellenberger Trophy on an annual basis, UM athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a release. “Coach Schnellenberger made an incredible impact at both institutions, and this trophy will serve as a visual reminder of the legacy he created for the sport he loved.’’
The Louisville Sports Commission will present the trophy when the Cardinals are the host team. The Miami Touchdown Club will present it when UM is host.
Schnellenberger, who died at age 87 on March 27, 2021, coached the Canes from 1979 through 1983, leading UM to its first national championship his final season. He took over Louisville in 1985 and in five years led the Cardinals to a 10-1-1 record and Fiesta Bowl victory over Alabama.
Schnellenberger’s wife, Beverlee, donated the cowboy boots.
ACC Kickoff
The ACC Football Kickoff was expanded for the first time to three days and will take place at the Westin Charlotte. There, each team will be represented by three players and the head coach.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips will speak Tuesday, with Syracuse (coach Dino Babers, quarterback Garrett Shrader, tight end Oronde Gadsden II, linebacker Marlowe Wax), Louisville (coach Jeff Brohm, running back Jawhar Jordan, defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte, offensive lineman Bryan Hudson), Georgia Tech (coach Brent Key, defensive back LaMiles Brooks, offensive lineman Jordan Williams, defensive lineman Sylvain Yondjouen) and the Miami representatives speaking afterward.
Fans can watch the Canes speak in a ballroom setting on ACC Network Extra, the network’s digital platform, at 12:30 p.m. (ACCNX) and can watch Phillips speak on ACC Network at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday’s ACC schedule has Duke, Florida State, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Virginia Tech appearances.
Thursday’s final day encompasses Boston College, Clemson, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Wake Forest.
All 14 teams’ press conferences will be streamed live on ACCNX.
