FAU QB Jeff Van Camp Looks at Greg Jones Like He Did Ndamukong Suh

Howard Schnellenberger is highly regarded by his colleagues and athletes for a multitude of reasons. The Florida Atlantic University coach is outspoken and far

Howard Schnellenberger is highly regarded by his colleagues and athletes for a multitude of reasons.

The Florida Atlantic University coach is outspoken and far from politically correct. But he’s admired for his views and sticks to his values.

He’s heralded for developing up-and-coming college football programs and quarterbacks. He did so with the Miami Hurricanes from 1979-83, when he groomed future NFL signal-callers Bernie Kosar and Jim Kelly.

Schnellenberger coached the then-virtually unknown Hurricanes to their first national title in their 1983 Orange Bowl victory over Mike Rozier and the powerhouse Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Hurricanes finished 11-1 in ’83. Schellenberger left with a 41-16 record and third best winning percentage in school history (.719).

Many credit Schnellenberger for luring Joe Namath from other potential suitors, convincing him to play for Bear Bryant’s Alabama Crimson Tide. It was a good move on both parts, as Namath led Alabama to a national title in 1961.

He also spent time in the NFL as an offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins in the early 70s.

Schnellenberger is revered for his quirky side, which appeared during a recent FAU practice session. He handed out sets of latex gloves, in the midst of a downpour, in an attempt to get the Owls acclimated with unsavory weather conditions.

Owls senior quarterback, Jeff Van Camp remembered the rain-soaked workout, and recently shared his humorous experience with Spartan Nation Radio listeners.

“He said it worked,” laughed Van Camp when asked about Schnellenberger's reasoning. “It’s crazy, it actually worked — the latex gloves actually worked. It was so funny.”

Van Camp said he has plenty of stories to share about the man who taught him everything about being a college quarterback. But one story that sticks in his mind happened before he signed with FAU — it was his recruitment phase.

It's not every day your potential coach puts the make on your mother, but that didn't stop Schnellenberger.

The Owls coach planted a kiss on the cheek of Van Camp’s mother to ensure Van Camp would choose FAU. It worked perfectly. But Schnellenberger had another trick up his sleeve.

“I think that’s what he does to every mom to win them over,” laughed Van Camp. Another recruiting tool Schnellenberger utilized was his impressive resume. He brandished his winners' hardware — a tactic that impressed Van Camp.

“It was just pretty cool to see him with the Super Bowl rings — the national championship ring,” said Van Camp, a 6-foot-6, 222-pound potential NFL talent. “He let me try them on. I was pretty much sold.”

Other than kissing mothers for the sake of landing athletes, Schnellenberger sells the idea of creating something to be proud of at FAU. The program is growing, and Van Camp wanted to be part of the process.

“That’s how they recruit the guys,” he said. “They just want to build something. You can go to a big program and be a part of that tradition, or you can be that type of guy that lays the ground work so the other guys in the future can benefit off the hard work that you’ve accomplished … I just want to be known as that guy, in 20 years, that laid the ground work and got the job done.”

It’s that type of winning attitude that gained FAU praise from local media members two years ago. The Owls were noted for superior conduct after their 24-21 win over Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field in 2008.

Leading by example, and exhibiting class are what Schnellenberger preaches, and Van Camp said those are reasons he’s proud to be part of the program.

The Owls will again travel to Detroit's Ford Field for their date with Michigan State on Sept. 18, in what has been billed as “Spartans in the D." Technically, it’s a home game for FAU. The school will receive a payoff for its northern excursion, which will be used to help finance its new stadium and facilities.

With Ford Field just about an hour away from East Lansing, Van Camp is well aware that there will be a sea of green and white in the stands.

But that’s the last thing on his mind. Van Camp is ready to test his skills against Michigan State, and like any competitor, he's intent on winning.

“We’re all extremely excited to go up there and play Michigan State,” Van Camp said. “We know they’re a great football team. We know they’re well-coached. We’ve been watching them on film the whole summer. We know it’s going to be a great challenge going up there, and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Watching film gave the Owls a chance to study Michigan State’s All-American linebacker, Greg Jones. The Big Ten’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year has Van Camp’s eyes wide open. Van Camp said he will enter the game with same mindset as last year’s meeting with Nebraska, and eventual Heisman Trophy finalist and current Detroit Lion, Ndamukong Suh.

“(Jones is) probably one of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen on film,” said Van Camp. “We know he’s going to make plays. We’re going to do our best to limit him … we know he’s a great player.”

With two to three seconds to react after the snap, will Jones cause Van Camp to alter his game plan? Van Camp is known for his poise in the pocket, and has exceptional field vision. He said he's not bothered by oncoming defenders. But he hasn't faced Jones yet.

“You do your best to really not worry about those types of things,” said Van Camp. “But you have to. When you have a great player on the field, you always have to account for him.”

Tape sessions helped Van Camp properly scout the Spartans. The Owls quarterback enters his first year at the helm of the offense, and respects the Spartans' speed and athleticism.

“Oh man, athletes everywhere,” said Van Camp when asked what he thought of the Spartans. “We know we have a serious challenge.”