Strock To Coach FIU Football
 Strock being introducedat the University Park campus |
Florida International University took another step toward its first touchdown today, naming former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock as head coach of the FIU football team. FIU's debut game will be played two years from tomorrow.
"I couldn't be happier. We have a tremendous opportunity to build this program from the ground up, and we're going to do it right," said Strock, who has been FIU's Football Operations Director for the past year. "I'm eager to put my playing and coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level to work here, developing a program that FIU's students, alumni, faculty and staff can all be proud of."
Strock was introduced as the new coach at a student celebration at the Rathskeller, located in the Graham Center at University Park.
"This has been a banner year for FIU, and the appointment of Don Strock to head our football team is another feather in our cap," said FIU President Modesto A. Maidique. "Don's sense of ethics and vision will help FIU develop a team with talent, the drive to succeed and the discipline to do it with integrity. I look forward to our first game in 2002."
Originally from Pottstown, Penn., Strock has been involved with football for most of his life. In 1973, he earned a B.S. in distributive education at Virginia Tech where he completed 628 of 1,174 career passes for 5,857 yards. Strock led the nation in passing as a senior, played in the Hula Bowl and was voted Outstanding Offensive Player in the Blue Gray Classic. Strock will be inducted into the Blue Gray Hall of Fame this October.
The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the fifth round in 1973. While he served mostly in a backup role throughout his 14-year career with the team, fans remember him well for coming off the bench in the 1982 playoffs to bring Miami back from a 24-0 deficit to 38-31 against San Diego. Though the Dolphins finally lost the game in overtime, 41-38, Strock completed 29 of 43 passes for 403 yards and four touchdowns in a contest that the editors of Sports Illustrated last year called their "Favorite Game" of the century.
Strock was also part of the Dolphins squad that made it all the way to the Super Bowl the following year before losing to Washington.
He joined the Cleveland Browns in 1988, moved on to the Indianapolis Colts in 1989 and retired the following year. Over the course of his career, Strock completed 443 of 779 passes for 5,349 yards with 45 touchdowns.
Strock's transition to coaching was a quick one. He served as head coach of Miami's Arena Football League franchise in 1993 and in the same post for the AFL's Mass Marauders the following year. In 1995, he became the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach of the Rhein Fire of the World League. He then spent three years as the Baltimore Ravens' quarterback coach before joining FIU as director of football operations in 1999.
FIU's team will begin play in 2002 in Community Stadium on the FIU-University Park in West Miami. Expansion of that 7,000-seat facility is under discussion, with work expected to begin next year.
"I have every confidence that Don will do a tremendous job for FIU," said Rick Mello, FIU Athletic Director. "In selecting a coach for FIU football, my top criteria was simply this: If I had a son with the talent to play football, would I trust Don to help him excel? The answer is absolutely yes."
Season tickets are now available and can be purchased by calling 305-348-3595. FIU offers more than 180 degree programs to 32,000 students in Miami, other South Florida areas and Latin America. The university holds the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's premiere ranking for research institutions.
Media contacts: Aileen Izquierdo, FIU Projects Coordinator, 305-348-6999 or Rich Kelch, FIU Athletic Media Relations Director, 305-348-3164