A backward compatible fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a backward compatibility converter including: a converter housing having a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the first end of the converter housing including an end wall defining a first opening, the second end of the converter housing defining a second opening, the converter housing defining an internal passage that extends through the converter housing from the first opening to the second opening; the first end of the converter housing including two paddles that project outwardly from the end wall, the paddles being positioned at opposite sides of the first opening and including inner surfaces that oppose each other; the converter housing defining internal threads located within the internal passage; and a first coupling nut rotatably mounted about an exterior of the converter housing adjacent the second end of the converter housing, the first coupling nut including external threads; and a fiber optic connector including: a connector housing having a first end defining a plug portion and a second end for coupling to a fiber optic cable; a ferrule assembly, which is mounted to the plug portion of the connector housing, including a ferrule for mounting an optical fiber from the fiber optic cable; and a second coupling nut, which is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing, including a set of external threads, wherein the external threads of the second coupling nut are in threaded engagement with the internal threads the converter housing such that the plug portion of the fiber optic connector projects through the first opening in the converter housing and is disposed between the two paddles of the converter housing. a backward compatibility converter including: a converter housing having a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the first end of the converter housing including an end wall defining a first opening, the second end of the converter housing defining a second opening, the converter housing defining an internal passage that extends through the converter housing from the first opening to the second opening; the first end of the converter housing including two paddles that project outwardly from the end wall, the paddles being positioned at opposite sides of the first opening and including inner surfaces that oppose each other; the converter housing defining internal threads located within the internal passage; and a first coupling nut rotatably mounted about an exterior of the converter housing adjacent the second end of the converter housing, the first coupling nut including external threads; and a converter housing having a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the first end of the converter housing including an end wall defining a first opening, the second end of the converter housing defining a second opening, the converter housing defining an internal passage that extends through the converter housing from the first opening to the second opening; the first end of the converter housing including two paddles that project outwardly from the end wall, the paddles being positioned at opposite sides of the first opening and including inner surfaces that oppose each other; the converter housing defining internal threads located within the internal passage; and a first coupling nut rotatably mounted about an exterior of the converter housing adjacent the second end of the converter housing, the first coupling nut including external threads; and a fiber optic connector including: a connector housing having a first end defining a plug portion and a second end for coupling to a fiber optic cable; a ferrule assembly, which is mounted to the plug portion of the connector housing, including a ferrule for mounting an optical fiber from the fiber optic cable; and a second coupling nut, which is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing, including a set of external threads, wherein the external threads of the second coupling nut are in threaded engagement with the internal threads the converter housing such that the plug portion of the fiber optic connector projects through the first opening in the converter housing and is disposed between the two paddles of the converter housing. a connector housing having a first end defining a plug portion and a second end for coupling to a fiber optic cable; a ferrule assembly, which is mounted to the plug portion of the connector housing, including a ferrule for mounting an optical fiber from the fiber optic cable; and a second coupling nut, which is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing, including a set of external threads, wherein the external threads of the second coupling nut are in threaded engagement with the internal threads the converter housing such that the plug portion of the fiber optic connector projects through the first opening in the converter housing and is disposed between the two paddles of the converter housing.