Mario Cristobal prefers pipe over boots on Schnellenberger Trophy

Earlier this week the Louisville and Miami football programs announced that the winner of their annual games that commence this season will be awarded the Howard Schnellenberger Trophy. The Schnellenberger Trophy includes a bronzed version of his cowboy boots. Mario Cristobal commented on the trophy this week.

Asked about the Schnellenberger Trophy on Tuesday at ACC Kickoff Mario Cristobal responded he is more fond of the late coach’s legendary pipe than the cowboy boots. Schnellberger is widely considered the father of modern football at Louisville and Miami. Both programs were struggling before Schnellenberger was hired.

Prior to Schnellenberger being hired by Miami in 1979 there was significant consideration that the Hurricanes would drop football. Miami dropped its basketball program in 1971. If Miami had dropped football that basically would have been the elimination of big-time college athletics by the Hurricanes.

Schnellberger modernized the Miami football program and placed a priority on recruiting. The legendary state of Miami placed a virtual fence around South Florida in recruiting. Schnellenberger wanted Miami to sign the best players from Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A championship was promised within five years.

"“I love Coach Schnellenberger. I was recruited by him. My brother was recruited by him. He spent many, many days and nights at the house recruiting us. I (am) more fond of the pipe than the boots, quite honestly.I think it’s the right type of honor to honor Coach Schnellenberger, what he did for the University of Miami, what he has done for the University of Louisville, what he represents in terms of football. He made the game better. He was a great man.We refer to him a good amount of times, and he is just a significant contributor of the game of football and our community. We’re honored to have the opportunity to honor him.”"

Schellenberger was 41–16 in five seasons at Miami that culminated with the 1983 National Championship. Following the 1983 season, Schnellenberger left to become the head coach of a Miami team in the United States Football League that never materialized. Two years later Schnellenberger was hired at Louisville.

Louisville had seven straight losing seasons when Schnellenberger was hired in 1985. The Cardinals finished 8-24-1 in the first three seasons under Schnellenberger. Louisville finished with winning records in five of the last seven seasons under Schnellenberger. Schnellenberger finished 54–56–2 in 10 years at Louisville.

In addition to Mario Cristobal being recruited by Schnellenberger, current Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm played for him at Louisville. In the immediate future, the Schellenberger Trophy will have added meaning with the head coaches of Louisville and Miami both alums of their football programs.

The trophy will commence this season when Louisville plays at Miami in the penultimate game of the 2023 season on November 11. Miami leads the all-time series with Louisville 11-3-1. The Hurricanes have won the last two in the series after the Cardinals won the previous three meetings.