FAU fires coach Tom Herman in 2nd season

Field Level Media|published: Mon 18th November, 18:22 2024

Nov 1, 2024; Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Tom Herman walks on the field before the game against the South Florida Bulls at FAU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Florida Atlantic fired head coach Tom Herman in just his second season, the university announced Monday.

Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Chad Lunsford will be interim head coach for the Owls' final two games.

Herman finished with a 6-16 record in Boca Raton, Fla.

The news comes two days after FAU lost to Temple in overtime, 18-15. The loss dropped FAU to 2-8 and 0-6 in the American Athletic Conference. Temple fired head coach Stan Drayton on Sunday.

"I extend my appreciation to Tom Herman for his dedication to our university and our student-athletes," athletic director Brian White said Monday. "I informed Tom of my decision this morning and then met with the staff and team. We firmly believe in our ability to win championships and compete for bowl games, and that remains our standard."

Herman had fired defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni and associate head coach Ed Warinner last week. According to multiple media reports on Monday, Bellantoni is returning to the staff as defensive coordinator, with co-defensive coordinator Brandon Harris no longer interim DC after one game.

Bellantoni also was FAU's defensive coordinator from 2014-16.

Herman, 49, is owed a buyout of more than $4 million, according to the USA Today database.

FAU hired Herman in 2023. He went 32-18 in four seasons at Texas but was fired after a 7-3 stint in the 2020 COVID season. Herman led the Longhorns to a bowl win in each of his four seasons.

Herman went 22-4 as head coach in Houston from 2015-16. He is 5-1 in bowl games overall, though not at FAU.

--Field Level Media

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