If the early returns are any indication, Florida Atlantic's marriage with new coach Lane Kiffin will be a popular one around the FAU program — and a shocker to those outside it.
Committed recruits are excited about the addition. Local high school coaches have praised the hire. It puzzled some members of the national media. Even program patriarch Howard Schnellenberger said Kiffin was "a huge jump" for the Owls.
Schnellenberger — who started FAU's football program in 2001 — said Owls Athletic Director Pat Chun recently told him Kiffin was one of the names being considered for the opening.