Florida State coach Bobby Bowden remains mum on exactly when he plans to hang up his whistle and clip board and turn the reigns of the Seminoles' program over to offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.While speculation begins that this could be the farewell tour for the coaching legend, who recorded his 378th head coaching victory against N.C. State on Thursday, Florida State's players are left in the dark about Bowden's impending retirement decision.
"I have no idea when he'll step down," sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder said. "I think as long he is healthy and he feels like he can be out here, he'll be out here. I don't know if that will be this year, next year or five years down the road."The 'Noles' players still see a fire burning inside of Bowden, and as long as he's got that, they believe he'll be patroling the sidelines in Tallahassee.
"Looking at the energy that coach Bowden has in practice, I don't think he's going anywhere," said junior defensive end Everette Brown, when asked if he thought FSU's 26-17 victory over North Carolina State would be Bowden's final Thursday night prime time win. "He's still a ball of energy and he's got a lot of fire left in him. I'd be shocked if this was it for him."Bowden, who usually oversees practice in a sky box rom high above the 'Noles' practice facility, has been much more visible around the FSU campus this fall. His players believe that the 78-year old football coach is in search of one more national championship before he rides off into the sunset. Bowden led Florida State to the 1993 and 1999 NCAA titles.
"I think if we can get an ACC championship and a national championship, then he'll retire," wide receiver Preston Parker said. "He always talks about those teams from the 90's, and he believes that we've got the same type of talent that those teams had. He wants one more ring, one more trophy, then I think he will be satisfied."
FSU's players said that if Thursday night's win was indeed the last primetime victory for the legendary ball coach, they're glad they can send him off with a win.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2008 @ 2:37PM
Greg said...
I think FSU has a decent team this year and has a good shot at winning the ACC. I'm just not sure they have the caliber of players right now needed to win a national championship, even in the next few years. It seems like they have not recruited as many quality players like they did to in the '90s. Plus they haven't had that star quarterback like a Charlie Ward any time recently, which I really think has affected their offensive production. I bet Bowden hangs on for one more year and then calls it a career.
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10-18-2008 @ 2:51PM
PATRICK said...
The 'Noles have feasted on cupcakes so far this year. The one quality opponent, Wake Forest, beat them on their home field! It is possible that the once mighty Criminoles will lose every game the rest of the way and not go to a bowl. Look at the schedule, and watch what happens
10-17-2008 @ 6:37PM
Larry said...
Bobby showed he still has plenty of fire left when leaving the field at the end of the first half in Thursday night's game. He should step down only when he is ready and feels he no longer cares about winning. I respect him for all he has done for FSU and college football! Go Noles!!!!!!!!!
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10-19-2008 @ 3:45AM
3rd force said...
Coach Bowden would be smart to bow out now. The statewide Florida talent pool will be increasingly diluted among 5 - not 3 - competing major football programs and increasing recruiting efforts from out-of-state (and U.Florida having the advantage of being in a major BCS conference).
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10-19-2008 @ 8:15AM
RodHog said...
On Bobby's knowing when he should retire: When she was in her 80's, my late mother was still driving and insisted she was doing a very good job of it. Luckily, she didn't get anyone killed. When we reach a certain age level, our judgment isn't always as keen as it once was. Do not anticipate that BB will retire anytime soon. He still believes that he's doing a good job of driving the team. When providence decides that Bobby should go, FSU should bring back a mandatory retirement age and clear all of the exisiting nepotism loopholes. Too much idolatry at the time created many of the current problems, from which there is no grace-saving means of escape. Until the time comes, FSU fans need to just grin & bear it.
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