Born: 1950; Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Don Strock, FIU's first head football coach, brings first hand experience as a player, coach and sports enthusiast to the fledgling program. Strock, who was named Director of Football Operations at FIU in 1999 and Head Coach in 2000, led the charge before the Florida Board of Regents to obtain approval for the program in May 2000.

A veteran quarterback who played with the Dolphins for 14 years, Strock started only 20 games in Miami, but emerged the team's relief specialist. His most memorable moment was a 41-38 overtime loss to San Diego in which the Dolphins trailed 24-0 when he entered.

A Dolphin from 1973 through 1987, Strock hit 388 of 688 passes for 4,613 yards and received much credit for the development of Dan Marino early in Marino's career.

Strock, a fifth-round selection of the Miami Dolphins in 1973, spent one year each with Cleveland (1988) and Indianapolis (1989). His 17-year NFL career statistics include: 443 completions in 779 attempts for 5,349 yards with 45 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. Strock was involved in the NFL postseason 12 times and played in three Super Bowls (1974, 1983 and 1985) over his career.

At Cleveland, Strock joined the team in a reserve role, but was called upon to help guide the Browns to the playoffs in an unusual season of quarterback injuries. He started two of four games in 1988 and was one of four starters at quarterback as QBs Bernie Kosar, Mike Pagel and Gary Danielson were all injury casualties. Strock signed with Indianapolis in 1989, but his role was limited.

Strock, 50, began his coaching career in 1993 with Miami of the Arena Football League, guiding the team to a 5-7 record and the playoffs. In 1994, he joined the Massachusetts Marauders (AFL), taking them to an 8-4 mark and the playoffs. Strock was offensive coordinator/quarterback coach of the Rhein Fire of the World League in 1995.

Strock spent the next three seasons (1996-98) as quarterbacks' coach of the Baltimore Ravens, where, in 1996, he oversaw the second best passing attack in the NFL.

Strock's outstanding college career involved a pass-oriented offense at Virginia Tech. Overall, he completed 628 of 1,174 attempts (53.5%) for 8,857 yards. Strock led the nation in passing as a senior, made an appearance at the Hula Bowl and was voted Outstanding Offensive Player at the Blue-Gray Classic.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in distributive education. Strock attended Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, PA and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He and his wife, Debby, reside in Weston, Florida.