FAU football's poor defensive perfornance in 2009 led to the firing of defensive coordinator Kirk Hoza.
Making a change
FAU defensive coordinator Kirk Hoza was fired after the defense failed to live up to its potential in 2009. That's our No. 4 Story of the Year.
Originally published on
7/7/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
After Florida Atlantic’s defense gave up 453 yards per game, including embarrassing performances in losses to UAB and Troy late in the season, Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger had to make a change.
After the season was over, Schnellenberger fired defensive coordinator Kirk Hoza, who had been with the program since its inception.
Schnellenberger said he did not make the decision in haste, but ultimately fired his first coach at FAU and promoted linebacker coach Kurt Van Valkenburgh.
The coaching staff also had other changes including offensive coordinator Darryl Jackson assuming the quarterback coaching duties after Jeff Brohm departed for Illinois. Also, former quarterback Jared Allen was promoted from a graduate assistant to receivers coach.
Veteran coach Dick Hopkins replaced Hoza as the Owls defensive backs coach and defensive tackles coach Rod Payne gave up his on-the-field coaching duties to become the strength and conditioning coach.
What we wrote
Why it’s important
Schnellenberger is intensely loyal to his assistants, but after the dreadful performance by the Owls’ defense, he didn’t have a choice but to make a change.
Hoza was – and still is – a good coach, but Schnellenberger showed he was prepared to do whatever it takes to reverse the team’s fortunes by turning over the defense to Van Valkenburgh, who has been a coordinator at Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.