Bobby Bowden hasn’t returned to Florida State’s Doak Campbell Stadium, and the field bearing his name, since his final home game in 2009.
That’ll change this season. FSU announced this morning that Bowden will be on the field for home games against North Carolina State (Oct. 26) and new ACC member Syracuse (Nov. 16) as part of a 20th anniversary celebration of Florida State’s 1993 national title.
“What Bobby Bowden means to Florida State University cannot be measured or overstated,” said President Eric J. Barron in a statement. “Words like respect, sincerity, class, honesty, charm and humor come to mind, along with his remarkable 33-year stellar record coaching our football team. We look forward with much enthusiasm and excitement to his return to the FSU campus.”
Bowden’s departure from the Seminoles was an awkward one, as he pushed out the door in 2009 after 33 years in favor of then-offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. The whole situation has been somewhat of a sore subject for the Bowden family ever since.
But it’s good to see Bowden back at the place he coached for over three decades, winning a pair of national titles in the process.