My son pointed out that it is ironic that Bowden's last game might be in the Gator Bowl. :) A. Leon Polhill, Gator "I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know." - Mark Twain
________________________________ From: John Bowers <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, November 30, 2009 7:34:29 PM Subject: [gatornews] Bowden expected to retire Tuesday Bowden expected to retire Tuesday By Corey Clark and Jim Lamar DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITERS Bobby Bowden’s legendary coaching career at Florida State University is expected to end Tuesday, the Tallahassee Democrat has learned. Bowden is expected to announce his resignation by way of a statement to be released Tuesday, sources told the Democrat. As part of his retirement, Bowden is expected to be offered a non-coaching position at FSU for an unspecified amount of time. In addition to any settlement compensation that may be negotiated as part of his retirement, Bowden is also entitled to $1 million upon his retirement as part of a clause in his coaching contract that was agreed upon at least 10 years ago. It is unclear if Bowden will coach the bowl game or not, but sources have said if he does coach one last game then the Gator Bowl may try to select FSU for its Jan. 1 game. Bowden’s retirement means Jimbo Fisher will become the first head football coach FSU has hired in 34 seasons. Fisher has spent the last three seasons on Bowden’s staff as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was named the head coach in waiting in December, 2007 after his first season on staff. Bowden's announcement ends a 34-year run at FSU where he built the football program into one of the country’s best. His teams won 10 or more games for 14 consecutive seasons from 1987-2000 – a mark that is still considered the standard for excellence in major-college football. His teams also won national championships in 1993 and 1999 and have played in a bowl game every year since 1982 – the longest active streak in the nation. Bowden’s decision to retire stems from a meeting he had on Monday morning with FSU President T.K. Wetherell and director of athletics Randy Spetman. The three men met for “about an hour” on Monday morning according to Bowden, who spoke at his weekly Florida State booster luncheon afterward. “(Tuesday) we’re going to meet again and have an announcement whether or not I’ll be here at Florida State [and] continue another year,” Bowden said when he took the podium. When he finished signing autographs after the event, he was surrounded by media members and asked what exactly took place in the meeting. “We talked about our options,” Bowden said. He was then asked if he was upset that it wouldn’t be solely his choice whether he returned for the 2010 season. “I’ll make the decision,” Bowden said. “So the ball’s in your court?” a reporter asked. “I’ll make the decision,” Bowden repeated. -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
