FAU fires Charlie Partridge

Coach Bill Lewis · November 27, 2016

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FAU is looking for a new head coach.

The Owls relieved Charlie Partridge of his head coaching duties on Sunday, one day after Middle Tennessee pounded FAU 77-56.

“I want to thank Charlie Partridge for putting his heart and soul into Florida Atlantic University for the past three years,” FAU athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement released by the school. “He led our program with integrity and character. Most importantly, he impacted the lives of our student-athletes and that will have a lasting effect.”

For Partridge, the loss concluded his third 3-9 season in a row. The proved to be one too many 3-9 seasons for FAU to swallow.

Hired in December of 2013, Partridge still had two years remaining on his original five-year contract. FAU owes Partridge a little more than $1 million for the remaining two years, but a buyout clause in the contract drops that total to about $200,000 should Partridge quickly find a job on another staff.

During the three years under Partridge the FAU football program made tremendous advancements off the field in recruiting, academics and, to some extent, fundraising.

On the field, the Owls continued to make the same mistakes week after week and statistically the Owls entered the season finale as one of the worst teams in the nation – and that comes while playing one of the easiest schedules in the nation.

The high point on the field for the Partridge-led Owls may actually be a loss. Late in 2015 the Owls traveled to Gainesville and took an SEC Championship Game-bound Florida team into overtime before losing 20-14.

Twice during Partridge’s three seasons the Owls finished among the bottom 20 in total defense and scoring defense. The Owls entered Saturday’s loss to MTSU ranked No. 93 in total offense and No. 103 in scoring offense.

FAU lost four games this season by six points or less. Of the 27 losses under Partridge, 12 were by seven points or less. But FAU also suffered its most lopsided loss in program history earlier this season at Kansas St., falling 63-7; it’s worst home loss in program history – a 52-3 drubbing by Western Kentucky; and, after Saturday, one of the worst overall single-game defensive performances in NCAA history.

Critics consistently commented about the Owls being out-coached, particularly after halftime. Coming into Saturday’s game FAU had only scored 96 points in the second halves of games, while allowing 184.

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