|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 18:11:37 GMT -6
Post by hemlock on Dec 1, 2009 18:11:37 GMT -6
This will probably start a firestorm, but oh well...
Anybody interested in sharing their thoughts about Bowden, his "retirement," his legacy, and the current situation at FSU?
I've never been a huge Bowden person. That's not very PC now, but even during the glory days I always had him pegged as the third best "coach" in Florida behind Dennis Erickson and Steve Spurrier. I think that his dependency on quality assistants really became apparent when Mark Richt bolted for Georgia. The difference between Richt and what followed was like night and day.
Now, it seems that the problem is on the other side of the ball. Since Jimbo Fisher has taken over the O, the offense has really come together. Jeff Trickett is another big part of that. One of the best line coaches in the country - PERIOD. Defensively they are a mess in more than one way. Schematically they seem like they are playing from a different era.
I personally think that Bowden should have hung up his whistle ten years ago. For him to hang around as he did essentially as a figurehead I found to be somewhat disturbing.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 18:41:14 GMT -6
Post by coachdawhip on Dec 1, 2009 18:41:14 GMT -6
Bobby Bowden is FSU.
He should have been allowed to coach one more year. With Jimbo given the right the help pick the DC.
Point Blank, period
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 19:31:24 GMT -6
Post by coachdubyah on Dec 1, 2009 19:31:24 GMT -6
Bobby Bowden is FSU. He should have been allowed to coach one more year. With Jimbo given the right the help pick the DC. Point Blank, period AND THE FIRESTORM HAS BEGUN!!!
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 19:39:03 GMT -6
Post by tim914790 on Dec 1, 2009 19:39:03 GMT -6
I think Bobby Bowden is one of the best ever. On a personal note I had a player about 7 years ago who was barely a D3 player but was having all kinds of self esteem issues and just having a really hard time being a teenager. His favorite team was Florida State, I figured I would write a letter to UMD, Penn St, and Florida State addressed directly to Paterno, Friedgen, and Bowden. Ill never know for sure if the letter actually got to the HC but from MD and PSU I got back a form letter quoting NCAA policy and how they were sorry they could not help. I was just asking for some words of encouragement. I recieved a package in the mail a few weeks later with an 8x10 photo of Bowden autographed personally to the player with some words of enocuragement. I will never forget that and always say that is the reason they were as good as they were at their peak. He just knows how to relate to people and deal with people.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 19:49:53 GMT -6
Post by fbcoach74 on Dec 1, 2009 19:49:53 GMT -6
I think what he did at FSU was amazing, part of being a good HC is surrounding youself with good assistants, which he did and created a great program. I think he did a great job and FSU is what it is because of Bowden. Plus if you get a chance the Bowden way is a great read.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 20:35:21 GMT -6
Post by spreadattack on Dec 1, 2009 20:35:21 GMT -6
There's nothing wrong with being a "CEO type" head coach. I don't think the head coach has to dirll down on every detail of the gameplan and every individual drill. He's put in his dues, and he steers the program. He was innovative in his day, too. Hemlock you should remember in the '80s FSU was one of the first teams willing to live as a basically spread team; they went three and four wides, shotgun, threw hot, etc.
Now you're right, he was reliant on his assistants. And in these later years, that has backfired on him. I think he went from being a CEO type to being kind of disengaged. That's how it goes. I can't speak to whether he should go.
The Bowdens, and especially Bobby, were always nice to me, and I learned a lot from them as well as the guys they had surrounding them.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 20:49:25 GMT -6
Post by brophy on Dec 1, 2009 20:49:25 GMT -6
my only thought - best wishes to he and his wife...and his family. The FSU teams of the early 90's were insane!
Can't say anything bad about the guy.
My only wish is that he would be paid royalties for as many times I hear his hokie saying of "hang loose, boys, one of is fixin' ta score" repeated by some wanna-be coach.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 1, 2009 23:50:14 GMT -6
Post by outlawjoseywales on Dec 1, 2009 23:50:14 GMT -6
Sad day, just doesn't seem real.
Coach Bowden was a wonderful southern personality. I have an uncle that acts and sounds just like him-but isn't a coach.
I feel the whole thing was mishandled. There's probably not a handful of FSU faithful that wouldn't say the same, but the "money" always talks. They just couldn't take the loss to Florida.
Coach Bowden naturally was not as sharp as he was, for goodness sake the guy is +80 years old. This past Jan. he was a speaker at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. He's just fun to listen to. He told a joke that his wife says he doesn't coach anymore, just a great guy. Sorry to see things go this way. Of course he wasn't as sharp as he was, but that's natural. I'm sure that is one of the issues with the PTB.
Jimbo Fisher has never impressed me with that certain "magic" that all great men have. However, I have a coach on my staff that thinks the world of him and says that I'm wrong about me feelings and that Jimbo has a huge personal charisma. I don't see it, but too late now.
But simply, FSU looked like the JV playing the Florida Varsity. I don't know why their talent level was as low as it's been in the last few years. Those in power say it was Coach Bowden, I'm not sure.
I also feel that FSU hasn't been the same since Mark Richt left, but that's my opinion also-which isn't worth much. Sad day though, just can't imagine FSU without Coach Bowden being there.
Have some personal stories but don't feel like telling them right now. OJW
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 6:08:20 GMT -6
Post by John Knight on Dec 2, 2009 6:08:20 GMT -6
Say what you want about Jimbo, Terry Bowden will tell you that Jimbo Fisher is the best offensive mind in the game. I have heard him say it when he was full of truth serum(Crown Royal). I talked to Terry's wife via facebook last night. They are all in mourning, is all she would say. Terry's team lost in the DII playoffs and now Daddy is fired. Terry is probably still proud of Jimbo. FSU will come back strong, bet on it.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 7:25:16 GMT -6
Post by hemlock on Dec 2, 2009 7:25:16 GMT -6
I agree with everything that has been said; however, that does not conceal the fact that during the past ten years the program declined.
I agree with spread, Bobby was indeed one of the first "mainstream" coaches to run a spread offense; however, he did so primarily because of his OC - Mark Richt. We should all remember, and this indeed problematic, that he allowed his son, Jeff Bowden, to run Richt's system into the ground. Personally, I would have respected him more had he cut his boy loose after the first season. Jeff resigned, which was the right thing to do, but the old man should have cut him loose a long time ago.
My point is that no one person is greater than a program; yes, he turned the program into a power, but he ended up guiding it back to mediocrity. I have no doubt that Jimbo will bring the program back, but it did not have to decline the way it did over the past 10 years. No reason.
I spoken to two close friends that have coached against FSU's defense the past couple of years. Without prompting that both said that they were schematically at a disadvantage.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 7:27:24 GMT -6
Post by hemlock on Dec 2, 2009 7:27:24 GMT -6
By the way, I would not say that Bobby Bowden is FSU. No football coach is his university. The university is the faculty, the student body, and critical body of research and scholarship it produces first and foremost. Athletics are an appendage.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 7:52:23 GMT -6
Post by airraider on Dec 2, 2009 7:52:23 GMT -6
He comes across to me as a really Christian man.. and that he stands pretty tall on his beliefs..
It could be strictly a publicity thing.. but dont think so..
But his book.. "The Bowden Way".. has really made an impact on me and my coaching career..
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 8:21:45 GMT -6
Post by mariner42 on Dec 2, 2009 8:21:45 GMT -6
Even though I have rooted against FSU as a habit I was in like, 7th or 8th grade, I've always dug Bowden. Great coach, better person, I really respect him a lot. Back in the day, rooting against FSU was one of the most frustrating experiences you could have because the offense was going to be very good and the defense was going to be a frenzied swarm of speed and athleticism.
Jimbo Fischer never has impressed me with his offenses, but he's got his shot now.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 10:50:39 GMT -6
Post by John Knight on Dec 2, 2009 10:50:39 GMT -6
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 11:18:51 GMT -6
Post by dubber on Dec 2, 2009 11:18:51 GMT -6
FSU will be a 10-win team by '11 (if not next season)
And everyone will say it is because they got rid of the coach.
And, as usual, everyone will look like idiots.
But when everyone's an idiot, the idiot himself doesn't feel so bad.
JoePa got through his hiccup in the early otts of this century, and next season, people would have been singing this octogenerian's praises.
Bobby will still have a fantastic legacy. This "retirement" will be but a footnote on a historic, perpetually impactful career.
God, I'd love to buy JoePa and Bowden breakfast one morning just to listen to them talk......of course, they are probably awake at 4:45 in the morning........
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 14:49:23 GMT -6
Post by coach4life on Dec 2, 2009 14:49:23 GMT -6
I was at Godby HS in Tallahassee when Coach came to town. There was a move afoot by the leftists on the facility to get rid of football - too expensive, too violent, we need the cash for our departments (as usual with most arguments from the left they missed the bigger point, i.e. the exposure a good football team provides, but I digress....). Doak Campbell Stadium was an ugly giant erector set that seated (I think) about 40k.
Coach Bowden saved football at Florida State. His first year in 1976 he took a team that had won a four games over the last three seasons first year he got 'em to 5-6 running his Veer stuff from West VA with an smart but average athlete at Qb. People started going, hey, what's going on here? He recruited some good athletes from around the state but picked up 2 from our rival Leon HS that set the tone for where to go next: Wally Woodham and Jimmy Jordan. Wally had average athletic skills but was a heady player, Jimmy had a cannon for an arm but couldn't run a lick. When he saw what those guys could, he adjusted and unleashed what was called a two-headed monster know as Wally Jimjordan on his opponents. The Veer was out and they went to the I with lots of chunkin' the rock. The following year in '77 they went 10-2, winning the Tangerine Bowl and ended up #11 in the Coaches Poll and #14 in the AP. I'd say that was pretty good coaching. His fifth year he darn near one a national championship against Nebraska, had a DE made the easy pick right on his hands he would have had his first then.
As time went buy he did give more and more responsibility to his assistants, but when it came time for the tough decision for the program or in a game (think Puntrooski vs Clemson) it was his call. In the recruiting arena, when it came to seal the deal it was Bobby who sat down for dinner in a kid's home. The stories about the difference it made when he won the mamas over are legendary.
Once FSU started winning their applications and enrollment skyrocketed and money started pouring in. Yeah, he did great stuff for the football program but he also made great contributions to the university and city as a whole - he made it better than it was. When you think of a legacy, is there a better one than that?
And let's not forget his part in the Marshall story. They were his rival in WV and when they came knocking on the door he said come on in, we'll have some lunch for y'all here in a bit, stay around as long as you like and let me know if you have any questions about anything we do. Okay, that was for the movies, no doubt they called first, but in essence his willingness to share helped get that program back on its feet.
With all the of the above and the impact he has had on so many young mens lives, his legacy and contributions to the game goes waaayyy beyond wins and losses.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 16:30:37 GMT -6
Post by airman on Dec 2, 2009 16:30:37 GMT -6
Bobby Bowden is a very nice man. The down fall of FSU started to take place when mark richt left FSU and bowden's son was Jeff was appointed oc. Jeff was the wr coach and did not hardly communicate which the qbs during his tenure as the oc. Jimbo fisher was brought in to correct that problem.
I am sort of torn on Coach Bowden. He seemed to have plenty of recruiting violations and I think the game sort of passed him buy to be honest. may be had Mark Richt stayed they would have been okay. But when you compare him to say a dennis erickson Coach Bowden is pristine like Joe Paterno is.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 19:16:01 GMT -6
Post by pantherpride91 on Dec 2, 2009 19:16:01 GMT -6
To lighten the mood on this thread alittle... Has anyone ever heard the comedian Tim Wilson's impression of Bowden, it is really funny...
|
|
Coach Unk
Junior Member
[F4:coachdonjones]
Posts: 392
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 19:23:51 GMT -6
Post by Coach Unk on Dec 2, 2009 19:23:51 GMT -6
When you think Coach Bowden, you think FSU. He should have been given another year. He is that program, he built it and there is zero questioning that fact.
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 2, 2009 19:54:30 GMT -6
Post by floridagator on Dec 2, 2009 19:54:30 GMT -6
Well take it for what its worth coming from a Gator. You gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em etc. If he would have left 10yrs ago he would have had nothing but great memories, etc.. Instead he leaves with a losing record to his two instate rivals(UF and UM and now actually USF). There are alot of people in Tallahassee glad hes gone (Seminole fans), that is not good, they should have hated to see him go. I would love to be as succesful as Coach Bowden was but I really hope I have a great core of friends that will tell me its enough when its well past time to move on.
just my 2cents
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 3, 2009 21:43:42 GMT -6
Post by mjgrant82 on Dec 3, 2009 21:43:42 GMT -6
Am I the only one outraged at his lack of consistent discipline? I know he has a great personality, and is no doubt a legend...but to be honest, having never followed the guy closely, learning about how he treats stars different than scrubs really knocks him down in my view. Football is about teaching lessons to young people, what kind of lessons does that teach?
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 3, 2009 22:40:01 GMT -6
Post by floridagator on Dec 3, 2009 22:40:01 GMT -6
well thats kinda the dark side not talked about when mentioning Bowden. thats big time ball with big time $. he is not the only one that did that but he does seem to get a pass even though it was a real problem. He did a good job bringing that program up from mostly nothing
|
|
|
Bowden
Dec 4, 2009 8:46:38 GMT -6
Post by k on Dec 4, 2009 8:46:38 GMT -6
I was at Godby HS in Tallahassee when Coach came to town. There was a move afoot by the leftists on the facility to get rid of football - too expensive, too violent, we need the cash for our departments (as usual with most arguments from the left they missed the bigger point, i.e. the exposure a good football team provides, but I digress....). Interesting 'cause we're fighting an insurgency among the conservatives in town right now who believe football is too expensive and since they don't believe in public education to begin with really don't believe in extra-curricular activities. Like most arguments from the right they are just being selfish and spoiled and missed the bigger point, ie the benefits football provides regarding collaboration and cooperation as well as dedication and fortitude.
|
|