Upcoming Event: Football at Navy on October 25, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Football
at Navy
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Where Are They Now? - Eddie Alexander
12/15/2019 1:05:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Ed Alexander craves competition.
That's why he declined Division II scholarship offers to walk on at Florida Atlantic University in 2006.
"I felt like I was overlooked a little bit coming out of high school, so I wanted to go to a place where I could compete against the best and with the best, and FAU presented that opportunity to me," said Alexander, a Coral Springs High product.
Alexander's competitiveness translated to the classroom. He majored in mechanical engineering, which required "long nights and no sleep." The work didn't dissuade Alexander; it was the only way he operated.
"It never really was an option for me to quit or to lose," Alexander said.
Alexander's team embodied that mentality. The Owls won the 2007 New Orleans Bowl, with Alexander serving a key role on special teams.
In 2008, Alexander became a full-time starter at defensive back. FAU's coaching staff validated his efforts shortly after with a scholarship.
"It was a big weight off my shoulders, being a walk-on knowing, 'Hey, once you're on scholarship, there's less you have to worry about in regard to paying for school,'" Alexander said.
After leading FAU to another bowl-winning season in 2009, Alexander graduated in '11 with hopes of making the NFL.
But the NFL wasn't hiring; it was undergoing a lockout. Alexander had to walk away from the game he loved since he was eight years old.
"When you're in it, it's a grind," Alexander said. "But when you get out, you don't realize how much you miss it."
Alexander updated his résumé and began looking for an engineering job. Three months later, he found one at SV Microwave, a West Palm Beach-based manufacturer.
There, Alexander encountered a clientele whose culture was like football's: the military.
"It was highly competitive, and I think that kept me sane: working in a competitive environment so that I could get a release," Alexander said.
Alexander flourished, working his way from mechanical engineer to senior project engineer in five and a half years.
In 2017, Alexander left to become a product development engineer at Atkore International, a commercial electric-product manufacturer.
As an engineer, Alexander likes "things to be exact." The coaching he witnessed at his eight-year-old nephew's 2015 football practice was far from it.
"Seeing all the things they did wrong kind of irked me," Alexander said.
Alexander decided to coach his nephew himself. Having played collegiately under a legendary coach in Howard Schnellenberger, Alexander thought it would be easy.
He was wrong.
"I wasn't a great coach at first," Alexander admitted. "I realized that just because you played the game doesn't mean you can teach the game. So, it was a learning curve for me at the same time. But it was a great learning curve because it presented another challenge for me: imparting the knowledge that I had in my head for a way eight-, nine- and 10-year olds can understand it."
Alexander refined his communication skills and the results were evident. After finishing winless in 2016, Alexander led his team to championship games in 2017 and '18.
"That was an outlet that reignited my passion for the game," said Alexander, who served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Alexander didn't coach in 2019 but has the "itch" to do so again. He's also preparing for a "bigger" managerial role at Atkore. That'll leave him with little free time - exactly how he thrived at FAU.
"It keeps me busy, right," Alexander said. "But it's a good feeling."
That's why he declined Division II scholarship offers to walk on at Florida Atlantic University in 2006.
"I felt like I was overlooked a little bit coming out of high school, so I wanted to go to a place where I could compete against the best and with the best, and FAU presented that opportunity to me," said Alexander, a Coral Springs High product.
Alexander's competitiveness translated to the classroom. He majored in mechanical engineering, which required "long nights and no sleep." The work didn't dissuade Alexander; it was the only way he operated.
"It never really was an option for me to quit or to lose," Alexander said.
Alexander's team embodied that mentality. The Owls won the 2007 New Orleans Bowl, with Alexander serving a key role on special teams.
In 2008, Alexander became a full-time starter at defensive back. FAU's coaching staff validated his efforts shortly after with a scholarship.
"It was a big weight off my shoulders, being a walk-on knowing, 'Hey, once you're on scholarship, there's less you have to worry about in regard to paying for school,'" Alexander said.
After leading FAU to another bowl-winning season in 2009, Alexander graduated in '11 with hopes of making the NFL.
But the NFL wasn't hiring; it was undergoing a lockout. Alexander had to walk away from the game he loved since he was eight years old.
"When you're in it, it's a grind," Alexander said. "But when you get out, you don't realize how much you miss it."
Alexander updated his résumé and began looking for an engineering job. Three months later, he found one at SV Microwave, a West Palm Beach-based manufacturer.
There, Alexander encountered a clientele whose culture was like football's: the military.
"It was highly competitive, and I think that kept me sane: working in a competitive environment so that I could get a release," Alexander said.
Alexander flourished, working his way from mechanical engineer to senior project engineer in five and a half years.
In 2017, Alexander left to become a product development engineer at Atkore International, a commercial electric-product manufacturer.
As an engineer, Alexander likes "things to be exact." The coaching he witnessed at his eight-year-old nephew's 2015 football practice was far from it.
"Seeing all the things they did wrong kind of irked me," Alexander said.
Alexander decided to coach his nephew himself. Having played collegiately under a legendary coach in Howard Schnellenberger, Alexander thought it would be easy.
He was wrong.
"I wasn't a great coach at first," Alexander admitted. "I realized that just because you played the game doesn't mean you can teach the game. So, it was a learning curve for me at the same time. But it was a great learning curve because it presented another challenge for me: imparting the knowledge that I had in my head for a way eight-, nine- and 10-year olds can understand it."
Alexander refined his communication skills and the results were evident. After finishing winless in 2016, Alexander led his team to championship games in 2017 and '18.
"That was an outlet that reignited my passion for the game," said Alexander, who served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Alexander didn't coach in 2019 but has the "itch" to do so again. He's also preparing for a "bigger" managerial role at Atkore. That'll leave him with little free time - exactly how he thrived at FAU.
"It keeps me busy, right," Alexander said. "But it's a good feeling."
Florida Atlantic at South Florida
Sunday, October 19
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #10
Thursday, October 16
Meet Devin Santana
Wednesday, October 15
Wendol Philord Mic'd Up
Wednesday, October 15