Apparently, that announcement will include a retirement speech.
According to Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com and the Tallahassee Democrat, Bowden will announce his retirement Tuesday morning, putting an end to a legendary 34-year career in Tallahassee.
Bowden, whose 388 career victories trail only Penn State's Joe Paterno as college football's winningest coach, met with FSU president TK Wetherell and athletic director Randy Spetman on Monday morning. According to sources, Bowden was given two options: return to FSU in 2010 as an ambassador to the program, in which he would have little input in the day-to-day operations of the program, or retire after the Seminoles' upcoming bowl game.
While ESPN.com reports that Bowden will coach in the Seminoles' bowl game, the Democrat is reporting that it's unclear if he will coach one final game for the Seminoles. Sources tell the paper that the Gator Bowl would be interested in FSU if Bowden were to be on the sidelines as the coach.
The Democrat also reports that Bowden will be offered a non-coaching position with the school, most likely what ESPN.com refers to as an ambassador to the program.
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.
Sources told Schlabach that offensive coordinator/head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher had agreed to terms on a contract to replace Bowden at the end of the 2009 season.
The university has yet to confirm or deny either of the reports.
Let Bobby retire when he wants to. FSU wasn't crap before him. He built that team and University. Leave him alone. What has Jimbo Fisher done since he's been there? One half way decent offense and that was this year! He's sabatoging this team for his own personal agenda. It is going to suck for him if he doesn't turn this program around pronto. The worst coaching gig is the one after a legend. FSU handled this whole coach-in-waiting crap prematurely. They are going to turn me into a Gator.