AUSTIN, Texas — Florida Atlantic University needs a new head coach after firing Tom Herman on Monday with two games left in the season.
The FAU Owls were 4-8 last season and are now 2-8 into Herman’s second season at the school. According to the Associated Press, Herman was under contract through the 2027 season.
Herman was touted as a big win for FAU two years ago. He went 22-4 in his first two seasons as head coach at Houston before going 32-18 in four seasons at Texas. Herman also posted a 5-0 record in bowl games at both schools and never had a losing season.
“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.”
What happened at FAU?
The Owls won 27 games in three years under Lane Kiffin but now face their fourth consecutive losing season after Kiffin left for Mississippi. Willie Taggart and Herman have combined for a 21-34 record since Kiffin’s departure.
Last week, Herman fired defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni and associate head coach Ed Warinner, both who were on expiring contracts, according to the Associated Press.
FAU started 4-4 under Herman before going 2-12 in his last 14 games. The Owls are 0-6 this season in the American Athletic Conference.
What happened after Herman left Texas?
Herman was hired to succeed Charlie Strong in 2016 before he and Texas parted ways in 2021. His departure led the way for the Longhorns to hire Steve Sarkisian away from Alabama’s coaching staff.
During his time with Texas, Herman never won the Big 12 conference and went 1-4 against rival Oklahoma.
After Texas, Herman spent time on the Chicago Bears coaching staff as an offensive analyst and special projects coach. It was his first NFL job after being a college coach for more than 20 years.
Before becoming a head coach, Herman was an assistant on the Ohio State team that won the national championship and won the Boyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach.