And that sound you just heard? That was Jim "Mr. FSU" Smith kicking the old dog he thinks should be put down.
In an interview with Tony Barnhardt for his CBS Sports.com gig, Bowden let loose with talk that will leave every single one of his critics and detractors cringing. Talk of coming back in 2010.
"Right now I think you know where I'm leaning," Bowden said. "I'm leaning toward coming back [next season]."
Uh-oh.
Bowden continued with his ongoing defensive tack, saying that he's "been through this before" -- he hasn't, at least not like this -- and that "it's not like we're getting trounced" -- good point, but not likely to satiate the growing mob toting pitchforks and torches.
Bowden then trotted out his most potent weapon, one that tugs at the heart just a bit and also may contain a hint of truth -- he would never do anything to tear down what he's built.
"If I thought I was hurting Florida State and that I couldn't do it any more, I would walk away," Bowden said. "But that's not what I see right now."
Of course, some would argue that Bowden's already done just that, that his hanging on has already hurt the program he built from the ground up. And that would a hardy position to argue.
But, it's the genesis of the current divide between the Bobby supporters and the Bowden supporters-turned-critics. There's a chasm of Grand Canyon proportions between both sides, and it was a gap widened by the asinine public statements of one Mr. Smith.
So, what exactly should be done?
Barnhardt has the perfect answer, and it's the reason why he's Mr. College Football.
But as soon as this season is over, a huge dose of clarity needs to be injected into the Florida State football program. A news conference should be called to announce one of two things: 1) Bobby Bowden is retiring, or 2) Bowden is coming back for his farewell season, after which Fisher will take over.
Unfortunately, that Wisdom of Solomon solution would be dependent on both sides putting their egos and agendas to the side. Based on the last two weeks, there's no dadgum chance of that happening.
He can lean all he wants, but he will be retired at the end of the season.
Farewell seasons just set up lame duck seasons.
Bowden needs to learn from another great coach. Bear Bryant retired in 82 when he started losing control of the program. He would have rather stepped down than take the program down with him. He was only 3 years removed from his last National Championship. Bowden's ego will not let it happen. Everybody in the country knows why he is still there--HE WANTS THE RECORD!!! He could care less about FSU. The univesity has been very patient with him, contrary to all the Lou Holtz's out there. I am not a FSU fan; however Jim Smith is not in the wrong here. Shareholders would not sit around and let their CEO take a company down. FSU is the number 4 program in the state. If they want to climb back up, someone needs to make the decision, and I do not even see it as a hard one.
For those of you that are dieing for Bowden to go away ( especially Jim "Mr FSU Smith" ) and hand the keys to Fisher are complete morons. Fisher has had the keys the past few seasons. Bowden stopped coaching years ago. He just attracts recruits and takes credit for wins and blames for losses. Fisher will continue to run the program into the ground long after Bobby is gone. Dont get it twisted, when u see and i mean rarely see Bowden with a headset on, thats just to pretend he's involved with whats going on in the game. So i say go ahead and run him out and see how fast the program really heads downhill without Bowden there to attract the talent that arrives there every summer. Better for the U that Jimbo "takes over" as quickly as possible!
He might want the record but you have to win games to get that record. JoePa is winning 9 to 10 games a year & Bobby is going 7 & 6 with a losing record so far this year. He won't ever catch JoePa.