Bobby Bowden gets carried off the field after his team defeated West Virginia in the 2010 Gator Bowl. (Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports)
It is time for former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden and the school to make amends. Warchant.com reported this week that it looks like Bowden will finally return to Florida State and will be honored on the field that was named after him in Doak Campbell Stadium. Plans are in the works for a “Bobby Bowden Day” for one of the home games this season. Also, he is expected to be on hand for when the 1993 National Championship Team celebrates its 20-year reunion. This will also take place during a home game this season.
During his time at Florida State, Bowden led FSU to an Associated Press and Coaches Poll National Title in 1993 and a BCS National Championship in 1999, as well as 12 Atlantic Coast Conference championships. FSU was a dynasty under Bowden.
Unfortunately, even record-setting coaches come to the end of their careers. Former FSU recruiting coordinator Ronnie Cottrell told me two decades ago that Bowden’s age was being used against him in recruiting. After a difficult 2009 season, Bowden announced his retirement from FSU on December 1, 2009, just weeks after his 80th birthday.
There were no winners when Bowden was pushed out after his final season. Bowden was being questioned by his own fans toward the end of his career. Some accused him of simply being a figure-head during the final years. Nole fans didn’t like the fact that he was too loyal to his assistants instead of making changes when the program grew stale. No one wanted to be the guy to tell a legend that it was time to step aside.
His final coaching appearance was the 2010 Gator Bowl game on January 1, 2010, a 33–21 victory over his former program, West Virginia.
He wanted another year to go out on his terms, but there was concern among some FSU officials that if he was successful in that year would he have wanted yet another year? Could the divorce possibly have been worse than how it ended?
Bowden made good on his promise to stay away from the school and from interfering with current coach Jimbo Fisher. He has been busy speaking and hopefully enjoying retirement. It remains to be seen if Bowden will take on a bigger television role during the fall.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at FSU last year, but did not attend the game that weekend because of a pervious speaking engagement.
Bowden is not the only coach who has needed to reunite with his former school. Arkansas dismissed former basketball coach Nolan Richardson in 2002 after he challenged Athletic Director Frank Boyles claiming that he was being mistreated because of his race. In December 2002, Richardson filed a lawsuit against the University, the Board of Trustees, and the Razorback Foundation, citing a racially discriminatory environment. Fortunately, he has since been welcomed back by his former assistant and current coach Mike Anderson. Arguably, most Razorback fans are grateful for what Richardson did for the Hog program.
In fairness to Bowden, the great majority, if not all the FSU fan base, loves him. Bowden was nearly mesmerizing with the alumni and boosters, but even with that admiration for him most realized it was time for a change.
Bowden likely has legitimate gripes due to the way he was treated at the end. I hope in time that he will realize that he needed to retire despite his competitive spirit.
Bowden deserves to be honored on the field in Tallahassee. I would like to be there to see him wave to the crowd of fans and former players in response to a long standing ovation. It would be fitting in so many ways.
Apparently, FSU has offered the olive branch and it is up to Bowden to receive it gracefully. Bowden has always been honest in discussing his Christian faith. He understands forgiveness and reconciliation. Hopefully, he and the school will be able to mend the relationship. It’s time.
