Time for Bowden to retire?

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/12/10/308996.html



Seems like they're taking a big gamble on Fisher, who last week was mentioned as a candidate for the Arkansas job. Is FSU competing with Arkansas for a guy who's never been a head coach? :confused:

Personally, I think this may be a smart move for FSU. I have no idea about Fisher's capabilities as a head coach, but the WAY they are going about this is pretty smart, IMO. Name a successor, utilize a full year as a transitional period, then he takes over in December 08. It will certainly help with recruiting when kids know exactly who will take over and what his philosophy is.

That said, I figured FSU would go hard after Rich Rodriguez when Bowden retired.

It seems that Fisher may have used the Arkansas job as leverage to get what he wanted. I'm not so sure FSU or Bowden would have done it this way if they had the choice.

If his last game is next year against UF that will be interesting.

Apparently, Fisher's new contract is for 3 years and basically guarantees him the head job if Bowden retires during that time. It doesn't force Bobby out though and that's the part that really bothers most boosters that wish he would leave. In the meantime, Jimbo is tied to FSU unless he opts out, which would cost him 2.5 million. Also goes the other way if the Noles decide to hire someone else during the 3 year period. This in essence is a 3 year tryout for Jimbo to see if he fits the bill.

Bobby's new contract is for one year, but that does not mean he will only be there one more year. Most folks are thinking three. He wants 400 wins, and he and JoePa are in what is sometimes referred to as "the old fogey death march."

The situation we are in, is basically that we HAVE to find some stability in our program again. We've continued to be successful in recruiting, but what we in recent years have failed in is the development of the player AFTER he comes to FSU. We've seen an awful lot of folks come in and do great things as freshmen, and then start regressing backwards. We did have glimmers of hope this year (well, until the trip to Hogtown), but it's going to take time to turn it around. Are Fisher/Trickett/Dawsey/Carter/Andrews/Amato (I'm leaving somebody out, I know) the ones to do it? We can only hope. And i'm optimistic, as it really wasn't all that long ago that I remember airplanes with "Fire Ron Zook" banners circling RayJay and the gators in the Outback Bowl. Look what happened.

As for Bobby? Most of us wish he had left on top; he deserved it - and then we could pin the blame on our spiral downward on his leaving, instead of his staying. But his own father died shortly after retiring, and then Bobby's idol, The Bear, didn't last six months after he left Bama. That is why he still stands on our sidelines. He is prepared to meet his Lord, but he does not want to hasten the process, and he truly believes that's what will happen when he leaves.

One thing is for certain - I have plenty of Bobby's autographs, but I am getting more every opportunity I can get. Because one day, sooner than later, it will be over.

By the way, our defense seems to need some help. If/when Bobby retires, so will Mickey Andrews (he has had an especially tragic year with his son's death). If anyone knows how to coach defense, please apply.

Personally, I hope Bobby stays as long as he wants. He's a fine man. What you see on TV is what you get in person. I covered FSU as a sportswriter for several seasons and I loved dealing with Coach Bowden.

The 'Noles have been rather mediocre in recent years but they've made some coaching changes (think Jeff Bowden) and, when you do that, things don't change overnight. The program still has a cache' nationally (just like Miami) and it will right itself. Let's hope it starts in the bowl game.

Personally, I hope Bobby stays as long as he wants. He's a fine man. What you see on TV is what you get in person. I covered FSU as a sportswriter for several seasons and I loved dealing with Coach Bowden.

The 'Noles have been rather mediocre in recent years but they've made some coaching changes (think Jeff Bowden) and, when you do that, things don't change overnight. The program still has a cache' nationally (just like Miami) and it will right itself. Let's hope it starts in the bowl game.

Ahem, you may want to read this article before getting too fired up.

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071217/FSU03/712170315/1008/FSU

Old news...until recently. But I would caution folks to read the allegations from when the issues were first brought to the NCAA's attention by our administration to get the full story - i.e., this all began due to an employee. Not administration, not the AD, not the football program, not any of the athletic programs - but an academic adviser / tutor. Of course, we have to assume blame and deal with it, and it's another black eye for our university and the thousands of students who aren't involved with athletics on any level.

What really stuns me, though, is that the employee involved, after being dismissed from FSU, was hired as the principal of an elementary school in Gadsden County. :shock: I'm not kidding.

What really stuns me, though, is that the employee involved, after being dismissed from FSU, was hired as the principal of an elementary school in Gadsden County. :shock: I'm not kidding.

Ok, she's now been fired from Chattahoochee Elementary. What a relief. But as to the possible suspension list that's going around...:bang: