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3 things to know about FAU football's hiring of former Texas head coach Tom Herman

eric j. wallace, palm beach post
·2 min read

Florida Atlantic is turning to another former Power 5 head coach to lead its football program.

Former Texas head coach Tom Herman was announced as the school's next football head coach on Thursday afternoon.

"All the pieces are in place at FAU for us to be successful," Herman said of his hiring in a press release. "There are already great young men on this team, great facilities, a great location, a great recruiting base and great leadership, all of which are important to building a successful program."

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Who is Tom Herman?

Texas head coach Tom Herman watches a replay against Georgia during the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Texas head coach Tom Herman watches a replay against Georgia during the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Herman served as the Texas Longhorns' head coach from 2017-20, compiling a 32-18 record in four seasons.

He enjoyed his best success at Texas in 2018 as the Longhorns finished 10-4 with an impressive 28-21 win over the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns finished the season ranked No. 9 in national polls.

Herman won four bowl games in four seasons at Texas, but was fired on Jan. 2, 2021 after a 7-3 finish.

Prior to his stint at Texas, Herman was considered among the nation's most coveted young head coaches thanks to his success with Houston.

He led the Cougars to a 13-1 record and Peach Bowl victory over Florida State in his debut 2015 season. Houston finished No. 8 in national polls after the season.

FAU football on the move

FAU quarterback N'Kosi Perry runs the ball against Alabama-Birmingham during Saturday's win in Boca Raton.
FAU quarterback N'Kosi Perry runs the ball against Alabama-Birmingham during Saturday's win in Boca Raton.

Herman replaces Willie Taggart, who was fired as FAU's head coach on Saturday after compiling a 15-18 record in three seasons leading the Owls.

Taggart never won more than five games in three seasons leading the Owls. His best finish was in 2020, when FAU was 5-4 and lost to Memphis in the Montgomery Bowl.

FAU missed back-to-back bowls the last two seasons after 5-7 finishes.

Herman will lead the Owls in their first season after transitioning from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference in July 2023.

Charlotte, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA are also leaving C-USA to join the AAC.

Recapturing Kiffin magic

Former Owls head coach Howard Schnellenberger, left, congratulates Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Lane Kiffin at the 2017 Conference USA Football Championship at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida on December 2, 2017.
Former Owls head coach Howard Schnellenberger, left, congratulates Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Lane Kiffin at the 2017 Conference USA Football Championship at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida on December 2, 2017.

Herman will seek to become only the second FAU head football coach to post an overall winning record.

Current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin led the Owls from 2017-19, compiling a 26-13 overall record.

Taggart owns the second-best winning percentage in program history (.454) despite struggling to qualify for bowl eligibility the last two seasons.

FAU's loss to Memphis in the 2020 Montgomery Bowl is the program's only bowl loss in five appearances.

Eric J. Wallace can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Former Texas coach Tom Herman named to lead FAU football