Florida State in difficult situation since Bowden states he ain't quitting anytime soon
Slow start amplifies Bowden criticism
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<!-- end mod-article-title --><!-- begin story body --><!-- template inline -->TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday he isn't planning on quitting anytime soon.
That could leave school officials in a difficult situation.
Florida State is 2-3 for the first time since Bowden's inaugural season at the school 33 years ago, and 0-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time, prompting questions about his future at a program he transformed into a collegiate powerhouse.
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On Sunday, Jim Smith, the chair of the university's Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat it's time for a change.
"My hope is frankly that we'll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden era," said Smith, according to the newspaper. "... I do appreciate what he's done for us, what he's done for the program, what he's done really for the state of Florida.
"But I think the record will show that the Seminole Nation has been more than patient. We have been in a decline not for a year or two or three but I think we're coming up on seven or eight. I think enough is enough."
Smith confirmed to the newspaper that Florida State president T.K. Wetherell and legal counsel Betty Steffens have been working with Bowden's successor, Jimbo Fisher, to finalize a head coaching contract.
Fisher was named head coach in waiting in 2007. Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that the deal would be for at least five years.
"The president intends to announce we've negotiated a contract with coach Fisher," Smith said, according to the Democrat.
It was not clear if that deal would start next season.
After Saturday's 28-21 loss at Boston College, two Florida newspapers, including the hometown Democrat, also said Bowden should call it a career at the end of this season.
"The love and admiration we all have for Bobby doesn't put fans in the seats, money in the coffers or national championships in the trophy case," Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi wrote. "Bobby used to be able to do all those things, but clearly he cannot anymore."
Steve Ellis, the Democrat's beat writer who frequently doubles up with opinion pieces, wrote that Florida State must make a tough decision while Bowden's successor, Jimbo Fisher, calls the plays for the offense.
"It is time," Ellis wrote in Sunday's edition. "This should be Bowden's last season."
Bowden's 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches. Bowden turns 80 in just over a month, and has a contract that gives him the option to return in 2010 -- but no later, or the school will have to pay Fisher a $5 million bonus.
Bowden, known for his glib, affable personality, said Sunday that he'd make the decision on his future in conjunction with the university president when the time is right.
"We are the ones who will determine what we do and what kind of progress we make," Bowden said. "I will determine my situation. I won't let some guys' speculation tell me when to move."
Thousands of Florida State fans on Internet sites share the opinion of Ellis and Bianchi, that the strange two-headed coaching arrangement isn't resulting in wins.
And Florida State's season doesn't get any easier when No. 22 Georgia Tech comes calling Saturday night, in a game that will be televised nationally. Suddenly, avoiding the Seminoles' first losing season since 1976 could become the only goal left.
"We've still got a lot of games to play," Bowden said. "We've got to stay the course and try to get better in the areas we're getting beat."
Still, Bowden realizes that another loss in the league would make it nearly impossible to get back to the ACC title game for the first time since 2005.
"You simply can't give up," he said. "I refuse to."
Slow start amplifies Bowden criticism
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<!-- end mod-article-title --><!-- begin story body --><!-- template inline -->TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday he isn't planning on quitting anytime soon.
That could leave school officials in a difficult situation.
Florida State is 2-3 for the first time since Bowden's inaugural season at the school 33 years ago, and 0-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time, prompting questions about his future at a program he transformed into a collegiate powerhouse.
ACC blog
College Football Nation
On Sunday, Jim Smith, the chair of the university's Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat it's time for a change.
"My hope is frankly that we'll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden era," said Smith, according to the newspaper. "... I do appreciate what he's done for us, what he's done for the program, what he's done really for the state of Florida.
"But I think the record will show that the Seminole Nation has been more than patient. We have been in a decline not for a year or two or three but I think we're coming up on seven or eight. I think enough is enough."
Smith confirmed to the newspaper that Florida State president T.K. Wetherell and legal counsel Betty Steffens have been working with Bowden's successor, Jimbo Fisher, to finalize a head coaching contract.
Fisher was named head coach in waiting in 2007. Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that the deal would be for at least five years.
"The president intends to announce we've negotiated a contract with coach Fisher," Smith said, according to the Democrat.
It was not clear if that deal would start next season.
After Saturday's 28-21 loss at Boston College, two Florida newspapers, including the hometown Democrat, also said Bowden should call it a career at the end of this season.
"The love and admiration we all have for Bobby doesn't put fans in the seats, money in the coffers or national championships in the trophy case," Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi wrote. "Bobby used to be able to do all those things, but clearly he cannot anymore."
Steve Ellis, the Democrat's beat writer who frequently doubles up with opinion pieces, wrote that Florida State must make a tough decision while Bowden's successor, Jimbo Fisher, calls the plays for the offense.
"It is time," Ellis wrote in Sunday's edition. "This should be Bowden's last season."
Bowden's 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches. Bowden turns 80 in just over a month, and has a contract that gives him the option to return in 2010 -- but no later, or the school will have to pay Fisher a $5 million bonus.
Bowden, known for his glib, affable personality, said Sunday that he'd make the decision on his future in conjunction with the university president when the time is right.
"We are the ones who will determine what we do and what kind of progress we make," Bowden said. "I will determine my situation. I won't let some guys' speculation tell me when to move."
Thousands of Florida State fans on Internet sites share the opinion of Ellis and Bianchi, that the strange two-headed coaching arrangement isn't resulting in wins.
And Florida State's season doesn't get any easier when No. 22 Georgia Tech comes calling Saturday night, in a game that will be televised nationally. Suddenly, avoiding the Seminoles' first losing season since 1976 could become the only goal left.
"We've still got a lot of games to play," Bowden said. "We've got to stay the course and try to get better in the areas we're getting beat."
Still, Bowden realizes that another loss in the league would make it nearly impossible to get back to the ACC title game for the first time since 2005.
"You simply can't give up," he said. "I refuse to."
hno: his kid on the Noles and we got FKD.
