Why FAU football was 'total package' for Tom Herman's coaching return

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic introduced Tom Herman as the eighth head coach in the football program’s history on Friday morning just days after parting ways with Willie Taggart.

The Owls' loss to Western Kentucky on Nov. 26 kept them short of bowl eligibility for a second straight season, motivating the administration to announce a change later that night.

FAU President John Kelly said he thought Athletic Director Brian White was kidding when he brought up Herman as a realistic possibility.

Herman’s resume includes success at the University of Houston and Texas, where he compiled a 54-22 record and went undefeated in bowl games.

White said Herman was their top target and the only person to be offered the job.

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Herman ran late to the news conference and apologized to the crowd. He said it’s been a whirlwind as he just flew in Thursday to talk with the team and his family came in Friday morning.

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Herman reflects on coaching hiatus

After Texas fired Herman in January 2021, he served as an offensive analyst for the Chicago Bears before working as an analyst for CBS Sports' college football coverage this year.

“Taking a little time off and having some self-reflection, I wanted to make sure from a priority standpoint that this was the right move for my family first and I couldn't be more excited to get them down here permanently,” Herman said.

Herman said college football changed during the time he wasn't coaching in terms of NIL deals, recruiting and the transfer portal. He said his time working for CBS lent insight into some of those changes.

Why FAU?

Herman said FAU is a program on the rise and White was one of the main reasons he chose this destination.

“... I know that sounds like I'm kissing up to the boss a little bit, but I'm not," Herman said. "I've met with plenty of athletic directors in my day and we just clicked. He was very articulate with his vision, very specific, very thorough

And just when we started talking about philosophies and leadership styles, it was very apparent that we were aligned.”

Herman said recruiting talent in South Florida's three counties and FAU's new facilities were a huge draw.

"The infrastructure is already laid here," Herman said. "And it was really a no-brainer. It’s the total package."

Herman's ties to Lane Kiffin

Former FAU head coach Lane Kiffin, who led the Owls to two conference championships between 2017 and 2019, was one of many people to endorse Herman on social media.

Kiffin replied to an old video on Twitter where he was promoting season tickets for FAU and tagged Herman and the FAU football account.

"Just wanted to set the bar low for you buddy!!" Kiffin said. "You will crush it and I have a house and great boat for you."

Herman said he considers Kiffin a friend, calling him transparent, and emphasized that the former Owls coach still has an appreciation for FAU.

“I don't know why every time I get asked about Lane, I chuckle because he makes me smile. He’s just so fun to be around and because you know he's so genuine,” Herman said. “We did talk quite a bit about this job and I think he's really excited for me but he's also excited for Florida Atlantic.

"He still holds a special place in his heart for this place. I'm just happy that he gave me kind of his stamp of approval.”

Kiffin is the only head coach in FAU history to finish a tenure with a winning record. He posted a 26-13 record in three seasons.

Herman's goals for FAU

With the success he’s had in Houston and Texas, he’s looking to implement the same strategies to capture another AAC Championship under his belt.

Herman said it starts with the players.

“We've got to continue to bring in quality student-athletes, hopefully, most of them from South Florida and the state of Florida for sure," Herman said. "But then we've got to foster a culture of accountability that if you make a mistake, or you do not live up to the standards that have been set, you feel guilty that you let your teammates down or you let your coaches down.

"And so when we all have that kind of buy-in, when we all have that kind of accountability towards each other in that locker room as well as the staff, you couple that now with the athletes and the training that they'll get, that's when special things happen.”

Herman met with the players Thursday as seen in a video posted to the FAU football Twitter account. He told the team that he will love every player and that his goal is to get everything out of each man, even elements they didn’t know they have.

Herman's coaching staff

One of Herman's priorities is assembling his coaching staff.

There is some familiarity, specifically with offensive line coach Ed Warriner and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando.

Warriner was co-offensive coordinator with Herman while they were both at Ohio State, as a part of the national championship-winning team in 2015.

Orlando, who served as the interim head coach after Taggart’s firing, was Herman’s defensive coordinator at Texas.

Herman said to The Palm Beach Post that he will be interviewing all the assistant coaches who were at FAU under Taggart.

“I believe the assistant coaches have done a great job here. Coach Orlando has done a great job, keeping the ship afloat and keeping it moving in the right direction,” Herman said. “I have not had a chance to visit with them yet.

"That's very urgent on my priority list of things to do. But I will interview all of the coaches that are currently on the staff and will kind of see where they fit.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Warriner would be retained, but there's been no official word yet about Orlando.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tom Herman: Why FAU football was 'total package' for coaching return