Getty ImagesWhen it was announced back in March that the all-time winningest coach in FBS history, Bobby Bowden, would be inducted into Florida State’s Athletic Hall of Fame Aug. 31, it was also confirmed that Bowden would be returning to Doak Campbell Stadium the next day for the first since his “parting of ways” with the football program.
As it turns out, that won’t be the case. Unless there’s another change of heart, of course.
Speaking to the Tallahassee Democrat, Bowden told the paper that “it’s still too early” to return to the place that has been his home for nearly four decades. Bowden still intends to attend the induction ceremony, but won’t be at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell for the Seminoles’ season opener Sept. 1 against Murray State.
Bowden has long reiterated a very public stance that he wants to give space to his successor, Jimbo Fisher, in order for the now-third-year FSU coach to plow his own ground in the football program.
Bowden’s last appearance at the stadium that bears his name was Nov. 21, 2009, a 29-26 win over Maryland. On Dec. 1, 2009, Bowden announced he would be retiring at season’s end; three weeks later, Bowden confirmed that he was essentially pushed out the door by certain university officials.
He would go on to coach two more games for the Seminoles following that win over the Terps and finished his 40-year head-coaching career with 377 career wins, with 304 coming with the ‘Noles. When the late Joe Paterno was stripped of dozens of wins as part of Penn State’s NCAA sanctions, Bowden became the all-time leader in wins at the highest level of college football.
All-Time Winningest Coach? I will ALWAYS disagree. I saw Paterno win those games and the players win the games without a competitive edge. What happened to those children is horrific, but I disagree with the stipping of the wins.
He’s tired of seeing that overrated team lose and he’s a little worried about what Murray St has planned for them.
DHC1980
Bowden was stripped of his wins because of a few players abusing an online music course. No comparison, my friend.
Jo Pa bought the ticket, he took the ride.
To all the PSU apologists remember this when Bowden had his wins taken away, JoPed (who became number 1 then) said it was unfair but people needed to just move on. So to those of you crying that a man who covered up child rape lost some wins, I say move on, and be thankful your sorry program didn’t get the death penalty it deserved.
@ wallio
There is ZERO evidence that Paterno was involved in any cover up, and there is nothing in this infamous Freeh Report that supports that either. If you can find it please feel free to paste it here and I’ll apologize for calling you a Jerry Springer reactionary and moron. LOL
Canetic–fans of the U don’t have a lot of room to talk about FSU being overrated.
Ghenhy,
Call me a moron all you want, but Paterno’s own words doom him. “I wish I did more” “If I had to do it all again, I would do things differently.” And “I have many regrets.” If the man had that guilty of a conscience BY HIS OWN REPEATED ADMISSION, what more proof do you need? And no its not in the Freeh report. Joe admitted all this long before it came out.
Have another glass of Kool-Aid though.
I never did agree with Bobby much but he’s right on it with this one. He’d do himself a huge favor to not go back to a game at the Indian Reservation and Gambling Casino (aka Doak) until he’s invited. They were the ones that wanted the divorce, not him. Trying to reconcile too soon with an EX only makes things worse.
Bobby Bowden, won a lot of games in a very weak conference. When he chose to join the ACC, he knew that he could beat the pants off these basketball minded people. He easily won 10 games per season…….additionally, Bobby was never interested in graduating anyone, and didn’t care if classes were missed or not attended. He is a sleaze-bag coach……..without ethics.
HE is not the winningest coach of all time……there is a coach in Div/ II.
Praising Bowden is a waste.
He’s got the record, Championship rings, field named after him, his statute, huge pension, everything he say’s people at ESPN eat up and he got to plant the flaming spear at his last game. Bobby’s got no reason to complain about anything
ghengy, you are on some serious stuff. PSU fans will never get it.
Anyways, as a Canes fan, I miss seeing Bobby B on the sideline and I don’t mean that in a sarcastic manner. I heard Bobby say numerous times he’s a Hurricane fan unless they’re playing FSU. Stay classy Bobby B! They threw away the mold after you!
@ wallio
What do you expect the man to say TEN YEARS AFTER THE FACT! All the press, multi year grand jury investigation, etc. All that matters is what he knew at the time and the man can not be judged for conclusions he drew in retrospect. And you are still a moron. lol
No matter who it is stripping wins from a program is just plain stupid what’s the point of punishing the past it doesn’t do anything