After yet another loss, the FAU Owls football program has decided to make some changes. According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the Owls fired defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni on Sunday morning. Adding to the report on the official FAU website, the team also dismissed assistant head coach/offensive line coach Ed Warinner.
Source: Florida Atlantic has fired defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni. He has been on staff since 2022 after serving at Auburn. The Owls are 2-7 after Saturday’s loss at East Carolina.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 10, 2024
Herman speaks
On their official website, FAU Head Coach Tom Herman revealed his reasons for firing both coaches.
“I have the utmost respect for Roc, and I want to thank him for his multiple stints at Florida Atlantic,” said Herman. “But in order to move our program forward and create a new identity on defense, a change was needed,” said Herman.
“When Ed and I met, he expressed his interest in pursuing other opportunities at the end of the year. We mutually felt that it was best to go ahead and start that process now. I appreciate Ed and his contributions to our program and wish him all the best.”
Herman expanded on this during his weekly media availability on Tuesday.
Herman called coach Warinner a “friend and a heck of a coach.” During the season, they talked about the offensive line’s status, and Warinner’s future career plans. They agreed that now was the best time for him to leave to explore new options and for FAU to look for his replacement.
On former DC Roc Bellantoni, the head coach was much more direct.
Herman said the DC was fired due to a “decline in production and lack of improvement across the board.” The head coach wanted a new vision for the unit’s future and felt that where they were heading was not what he had envisioned for the future.
Herman added that he loves Roc as a person and coach but said, “emotion is the enemy of great decision-making.” Cited statistics and trending in the wrong direction as a reason for him to be let go, specifying that they are “one of the worst defenses in the country” in specific statistical categories.
Additionally, Herman said he understood that his players were upset with the coach firings, but he felt that this was the right decision and that they needed change immediately.
Additionally, the school announced that Herman has appointed Brandon Harris (cornerbacks coach) as the interim defensive coordinator, Jordan Helm as the interim linebackers coach, and Kyle Chung as the interim offensive line coach.
Herman Announces Football Staff Changes – Florida Atlantic University Athletics https://t.co/s5MFF1pzFU
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) November 10, 2024
Bellantoni posted a message on social media after the news broke about his firing.
“Walked out of the building with my head held high! I gave every ounce of my being to FAU in both tenures, and I’m proud of the defense we put on the field the last two years. Lost some key guys in the past month and couldn’t overcome that. That didn’t stop us from fighting and clawing at every step, regardless of our challenges.
I’m thankful for every second I get to spend at the place I love. THE BEST IS YET TO COME! On to better things. Galatians 6:9 Jeremiah 29:11.”
Will always love FAU! Gonna miss my guys. But the best is yet to come! pic.twitter.com/TgOPaldKqI
— Roc Bellantoni (@CoachRoc) November 10, 2024
Numerous players have posted comments showing their respect to their former coach, including quarterback Tyriq Starks, cornerback Cameron Goggins, and countless other players on the defense.
Ramifications for the FAU Owls
The FAU Owls have struggled on defense the past few weeks, capped off by a beatdown at the hands of East Carolina. They have allowed 43 points per game in their last four matchups, explicitly coming in the second half of these games.
However, this move feels out of place for where FAU is at this season. The Owls are no longer in bowl game contention and only have three remaining games left on their schedule. Theoretically, this would be a great way to get some of the younger players more reps to develop in Bellantoni’s scheme.
Furthermore, the Owls have been ravaged with injuries in their secondary. Countless sophomores and freshmen are getting extended reps, meaning that mistakes will come with the territory.
Most importantly, though, the offense has put the defense in poor positions countless times. Due to unsustained drives, poor playcalling, and a lack of execution, the defense finds itself on the field for an excessive amount of plays per game. After a certain point, that will affect a defense.
Wow. I get that the defense has struggled lately for the Owls, but the players on that defense loved to play for him. They always had very high praise for him in pressers and what he did for that unit. Not sure this is the right move for #FAU to make right now. https://t.co/viRjTzfWLQ
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) November 10, 2024
The firing of coaches for a team dead in the water could have been postponed until the end of the season. Once FAU’s regular season concluded, the team could have parted ways with the coaches and firmly set a new game plan for the future.
Yet, Herman decided to make the move now. In my eyes, it is a rash and abrupt decision that will have heavy ramifications. Firing a coach as beloved as Bellatoni will only cause ripples that could tear the locker room apart. Quite honestly, it is a no-win decision for the 2024 season and a choice that could severely impact the team’s upcoming recruiting classes.
Prospects decommit amid coach firings
Soon after news broke on the firings of both coach Roc and Warinner, multiple prospects publicly announced that they were decommitting from the program. That includes linebackers Nigel Nelson and Seth Chestnut, as well as offensive lineman Cole Cooke.
thank u @FAUFootball @FAU_Recruiting @pnj @lukechaney247 @MohrRecruiting @ccrusadersfball pic.twitter.com/IXdDG8JEu9
— Nigel Nelson 3⭐️ ATH (@Nigelnelson04) November 11, 2024
The FAU Owls made a bold decision on Sunday. Now, it remains to be seen if it will have any positive effects for the remainder of the season or threaten to destroy what is left to play for in 2024.
