Bowden Announces Retirement as FSU Head Coach

Bobby Bowden has confirmed speculation that he will retire as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles after coaching one more game.

Bowden has been at the helm of the Seminoles since 1976. He guided FSU to two national championships in 1993 and 1999. He is the second winningest college football coach in NCAA history with 388 wins. Only Joe Paterno at Penn State has more victories with 393. The 80-year-old Bowden will be replaced by offensive co-ordinator Jimbo Fisher.

The Seminoles struggled in 2009 going only 6-6. It was the Seminoles worst mark since Bowden's inaugural season at FSU. However, it does appear the Seminoles will be appearing in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day possibly against West Virginia.

Ironically, Bowden was the head coach at West Virginia before his arrival at FSU. When I think of Bowden I think of the kindness and sportsmanship he showed toward state rival Marshall University who lost nearly all their players and coaching staff in a plane crash that year. In honor of those who perished at Marshall, Bowden had his team wear a green cross on their helmets bearing the letters "MU." He also allowed Marshall head coach Jack Lengyel access to WVU's game films and playbooks. Bowden's act of valor was dramatized in the 2006 movie We Are Marshall (he was portrayed by character actor Mike Pniewski.) Now that's first class.