Florida State coach Bobby Bowden to retire after 44-year career
By Wade KwonBirmingham native became second winningest coach in college football history; will lead Seminoles in one last bowl game
Video: “I’ve got to go get a job. I ain’t had a job in 55 years.”
Coach Bobby Bowden announced Tuesday that he would retire after 34 years at Florida State, capping a 44-year career. The Birmingham native amassed 388 wins at Samford, West Virginia and Florida State, second only to Joe Paterno at Penn State.
Bowden led Florida State to two national championships in 1993 and 1999 and has never had a losing season there, save for his first season in 1976 at 5-6. The current Seminole team is 6-6, heading to a yet-to-be-decided bowl game.
He grew up in Woodlawn, then East Lake, played as a quarterback at Alabama, before transferring to Howard College (now Samford). Bowden modeled his career after another legendary coach, Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant.
On his retirement, Bowden said:
“Nothing lasts forever, does it? But I’ve had some wonderful years here at Florida State, you know it. Hadn’t done as good lately as I wish I could have, but I’ve had wonderful years, no regrets.”
Video: The Bowden legacy
Also:
- Associated Press: “FSU coach Bobby Bowden to retire after bowl game”
- Bhamwiki: Bobby Bowden
- “Being Bobby Bowden”
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And in other football news …
Alabama’s high school football championships take place today and Friday in Tuscaloosa. Birmingham had played host to the games since 1996, but lost a bid earlier this year to Tuscaloosa and Auburn.
The only Birmingham-area team still in the running is Hoover. The 13-1 Buccaneers play 6A arch-rival Prattville at 7 p.m. Friday in Bryant-Denny Stadium. All games will air on WUOA-TV 23.
Friday, December 4, 2009, 5:51 pm
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