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While Florida Atlantic football coach Howard Schnellenberger will realize his dream of playing in an on-campus stadium this season, there remains a big question hanging over the program.

Will this be Schnellenberger's final season as head coach of the Owls?

Schnellenberger, who created the program and has been FAU's only coach, is 77 and heading into his 11th season with the Owls. His contract was extended through the 2011 season when the stadium, which was originally scheduled to open in 2010, was delayed.

FAU Athletic Director Craig Angelos said he won't be discussing another extension until after the upcoming season.

"The focus this season is on opening our stadium and honoring all those who worked so hard to make it happen, and Howard was the one that pushed the hardest," Angelos said ...

FAU is coming off a disappointing 4-8 season and has been on a slide since appearing in back-to-back bowl games in 2007 and 2008.

The downturn has fueled speculation that this could be Schnellenberger's last season unless the Owls turn things around ...

Howard Schnellenberger - Florida Atlantic's only football coach - announced today that he is retiring at the end of the season.

Schnellenberger, 77, is entering his 11th season as coach.

Schnellenberger is in the final year of his contract and said he has been thinking of retiring for a few weeks. He was a key proponent in getting the school's on-campus, 30,000-seat, $70 million football stadium built. FAU is scheduled to play its first game in the new stadium in Boca Raton Oct. 15 against Western Kentucky.

Schnellenberger's contract was extended through the 2011 season when the stadium, which was originally scheduled to open in 2010, was delayed. ...

The decision would allow Schnellenberger to coach one season in the new stadium ...

Schnellenberger is known for building programs. He took over a dormant Miami program in 1979 and took it to its first national championship four years later. He went to Louisville in 1985 and, after winning eight games his first three seasons, the Cardinals finished 10-1-1 in 1990 and defeated Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl. Schnellenberger generated the support for a 42,000 on-campus stadium in Louisville. The university put his name on the football complex at the stadium ...