GAINESVILLE, FLA. (AP) - Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger’s trip to Gainesville for his final season opener was interrupted Friday by a precautionary stop at a hospital.
Schnellenberger complained of severe discomfort in his surgically repaired hip during a bus ride. X-rays determined the problem wasn’t serious, school officials said, and he’s expected to be on the sideline for Saturday’s game against the 22nd-ranked Florida Gators.
Schnellenberger, 77, had hip replacement surgery three weeks ago, shortly after he announced he’ll retire from coaching following this season.
He was on one of the Owls’ four buses when his bus overheated and had to stop. During the subsequent wait, Schnellenberger became increasingly uncomfortable, athletic director Craig Angelos said.
“He experienced some severe discomfort in his hip _ the same hip he had surgery on _ while sitting on the bus, with the lack of adequate leg room and being bounced around,” Angelos said. “As a precaution, our doctors on the trip decided to take him to the hospital for X-rays to make sure everything was still in place.”
The surgeon who performed Schnellenberger’s hip replacement was among those with the caravan.
After the coach underwent tests at the hospital, he traveled by car with his family to Gainesville.
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