Goodbye Bobby Bowden
After what has seemed like years of speculation about when Florida State coach Bobby Bowden would step down from his post, it has finally been announced that this season will be his last. Bowden is set to coach his team through their upcoming bowl game and will then retire as the winningest coach in Atlantic Coast Conference history.
His records are numerous and his impact immeasurable, but here are a few of the highlights:
- Winner of 12 ACC Championships
- Winner of 2 National Titles
- Led the Seminoles to 14 straight seasons of winning at least 10 games and finishing in the top-five of the Associated Press Poll
- 388 wins in 44 years of coaching, second all-time to Penn State’s Joe Paterno
- A perfect season in 1999 (also the first time a team went start to finish as the AP’s No. 1 ranked team)
The last few years of Bowden’s tenure have been less than ideal – the NCAA has investigated the program for possible recruiting and academic violations — but they should not tarnish the legacy that Bowden has created at Florida State.
After all, Bowden is Florida State football.
In a time when college athletics have become a revolving door for what have you done for me lately booster clubs, Bowden has been a consistent presence (for better or worse) for over three decades. The last time someone other than Bowden was the head coach at Florida State Gerald Ford was president of the United States. The fact that he has lasted so long is a testament to not only his talent but both his love for the game and the young men who play it.
Think about how much has changed in the world since Bowden first took over the reigns in 1976. The Berlin Wall came down before Bowden did. The Soviet Union fell apart before Bowden did. Even Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq lasted less than Bowden’s in Florida.
Sure, Bowden had his faults. Sure, Bowden had years and teams that didn’t meet expectations. Sure, it would have been nice if he could have won a few more titles.
But if I was an athletic director and you told me I could hire a coach who would give me what Bowden did over the course of 34 years, I’d tell you there was and will always be only one Bobby Bowden.
Then, well, I’d hire the person who said they could do what Bowden did.
Image Source: American Sports Blog
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