Bowden mess at FSU wreaking havoc on recruiting
Here’s your after-lunch desert of recruiting nuggets:
It’s getting really ugly down at Florida State. Make that U-G-L-Y, spelled out in all capital letters. Not surprisingly, it’s having a negative effect on the Seminoles’ recruiting.
The furor is over legendary coach Bobby Bowden. There has long been an internal debate over when and under what circumstances the patriarchal 79-year-old coach should step down. But it’s not internal anymore. After this past weekend’s loss to Boston College it’s all over the Florida newspapers and television stations.
Not only are the Seminoles wasting away with a 2-3 record but there are rampant reports of in-fighting among assistant coaches and divided support for head coach-designate Jimbo Fisher. It’s no surprise when a columnist like Orlando’s Mike Bianchi writes that Bowden should step down. It’s another thing when the local newspaper calls for Bowden to announce his retirement right away. That’s a death knell if there ever was one.
But a person or paper’s opinion is one thing. It’s another thing altogether when a person in a decision-making position makes his opinion known. Here’s what the chair of FSU’s Board of Trustees, Jim Smith — one of the original persons responsible for Bowden’s hiring in 1976 — said in an article written by respected Tallahassee Democrat reporter Steve Ellis:
“My hope is frankly that we’ll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden Era. … I do appreciate what he’s done for us, what he’s done for the program, what’s he done really for the state of Florida. But I think the record will show that the Seminole Nation has been more than patient. We have been in a decline not for a year or two or three but I think we’re coming up on seven or eight. I think enough is enough.”
Through it all, Bowden remains defiant. “I will determine my situation. I won’t let some guys’ speculation tell me when to move,” he said. And, “What would I gain by stepping down right now,” Bowden said. “What would you do? Fire everybody and bring in a whole new coaching staff. You can’t do that, you know? . . . I’ll evaluate myself. I’ll wait to the end of the year.”
Regardless, all the hulabaloo has had a bad effect on the Seminole’s recruiting. To date the FSU 2010 class, once thought to be a juggernaut in the making, has had three players “decommit”: Valdosta-Lowndes OT Ed Christian (open); Duncan (S.C.)-Brynes DE Corey Miller (Tennessee); and Pahokee (Fla.) CB Merrill Noel (Wake Forest).
Meanwhile, the Seminoles are in on several five- and four-star prospects in the Sunshine State, including a couple the Georgia Bulldogs are trying to pluck away. If they’re to maintain any hope of securing some of that talent and damming talent flow over to Gainesville, expect FSU to make a major announcement regarding Bowden in the coming days or weeks. . . .
- Speaking of decommits, is there another flip in the Gators’ future? Reportedly Florida commitment Matt Elam is considering switching to Tennessee after a visit to Knoxville this past weekend. Lane Kiffin, who infamously angered the Gators by getting Pahokee’s Nu’Keese Richardson to flip last year, already has a couple this recruiting season, including the aforementioned Byrnes defensive end Corey Miller (from FSU), and the Vols are credited for JaWuan James’ decision to back out on Alabama, too. . . .
- ESPN’s Chris Low points out that, while Kiffin and the Vols get a lot of credit for burning up the recruiting trail, Auburn’s Gene Chizik is making some hay with prospects as well. And he’s winning now to boot!. . . .
- South Carolina reeled in a commitment over the weekend, according to The State newspaper. Hint: It wasn’t their main target of 2010, TB Marcus Lattimore. . . .
- How did Iowa beat Penn State last week. Through recruiting, it says right here.
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39 comments Add your comment
FSUNoleinDC
October 5th, 2009
1:06 pm
first..haha…Bowden needs to go, he is ruining that program…gosh, enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank
October 5th, 2009
1:18 pm
Here you go, Chip.
Disinterested player hosts cost UGA a shot at a top LB.
http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2009/10/5/1069454/khairi-fortt-picks-penn-state
the real Old Gold
October 5th, 2009
1:20 pm
Who else thinks that Jimbo Fisher might being sabotaging the offense at FSU to force Bowden into retirement and move up faster? I’m starting to suspect. FSU is the worst team in the country with this much talent on the field.
Jimbo Fisher
October 5th, 2009
1:29 pm
-the real Old Gold – Why would I do that?!
1.if the offense doesn’t do well it’s on ME and makes ME look bad.
2. if the old man doesn’t step down this year, I start making my head coaching pay anyway with none of the pressure that goes along with it.
I’m just saying…
JB
October 5th, 2009
1:33 pm
I hate it, but Georgia’s top rated class will tumble. other coach’s will target us as also rans, winning 7-8 games and playing less on the BIG STAGE and some second rate bowl. no I’m not a Tech guy, just telling you guys how this will play out……
ReptilesRule
October 5th, 2009
1:39 pm
Anyone who decides he wants to go from a National Championsip program like Florida to play Bozo Ball for Kiffey the Klown would not be all that smart anyway. Tennesssee is selling recruits hard on the premise that Monte’s gonna get them into the NFL. So what I expect most of those players to do is to play for themselves much more so than for the team, and as soon as they get the chance, to get the hell out of Klownville. Look at Eric Berry, promoted on billboards, I think the guy is even featured in a production rap video. A great player for the Vols, but the closest he’ll ever get to a championship game is Section C Row 32 Seat 5…
Billy
October 5th, 2009
1:40 pm
I’m a life-long FSU fan and it almost kills me to say this, but: it is time for Bobby Bowden to go.
Dkchap
October 5th, 2009
1:43 pm
Frank, thanks for the link. I think Forte was leaning PSU anyway but the “disinterested hosts” probably sealed the deal. Completely unacceptable. One of the reasons I went to the school that I did was because my host was outstanding! Its a big deal.
frank
October 5th, 2009
1:57 pm
I assume you are old enough to know there are 2 sides to every story. maybe he knew he was never coming to UGA
maybe he deserved to be “abandoned”
maybe he us a total jerk.
we will never know.
Murray County Indian
October 5th, 2009
2:01 pm
Florida State PLEASE take Mark Richt, please. I was unhappy when he brought the FSU brand of football to Athens (recruit anyone that could play regardless of grades or character, no discipline on or off the field). But at least we won for a while. If we are gonna be mediocre we at least want to do it with our heads high. Richt has beaten Myer once, We got humiliated by Tennessee 2 years in a row, lost to Vandy & Kentucky and Tech, schools where football is not even important. 31-0 at the half to Alabama on national tv, AT OUR BLACKOUT GAME! Saturday against a not so great LSU team we had more penalties than first downs and tackles! Top 5 recruits and bottom 5 coaches, for one of the top and best paid jobs in the country, with great facilities and fan support! Please take the smirking bs’er back.
ratherBgambling
October 5th, 2009
2:04 pm
Elam is a great prospect but with or without him, Gators continue to roll. If he believes Bozo then good luck. i’m sure he is saying that to all the DB’s he’s recruiting.
Bowden is destroying everything he built, sad to see.
Trade School Junkie
October 5th, 2009
2:16 pm
So, now we know all the rumors coming out of Tallhassee are true.
We got ourselves a real “family feud.”
So, which FSU team will show up vs. GT on Saturday?
The Jimbo’s team or Bobby’s team?
Which one was the “BYU” team and which one was “JaxSt & SoFlo” team?
THATS the REAL question.
It looks like Jimbo’s team is the JaxSt/SoFlo team. You cant have this much talent, just completely lay down vs. JaxSt and USF. If th eplayers were “behind” Jimbo, then they would probably still play very well, in spite of division among the coaches. But, to play THAT BAD vs. against JaxSt and SoFlo, takes a conscious effort.
When you look at the stats of the USF game, its WAAAAAAY to easy to look at the stats and “see” just how the players were sand-bagging that game. How does FSU have 4 TOs, 1TD…and 19 Total Yards rushing…against SoFlo??
Folks, THATS, sand-bagging…by the players.
It looks like the players are purposely laying down on Jimbo, and choosing Bowden. These players wouldnt lay down for Bowden. Bowden IS FSU. Jimbo is the “outsider” here.
If the FSU Board is….SMART…SERIOUS…they should go ahead let the “Executive Head Coach(title)” Chuck Amato go..TODAY.
Amato cant possibly be helping this team right now.
And, Amato is loyal to Bowden.
If the FSU Board cuts Amato loose TODAY, the Board will be sending an
ABSOLUTELY CLEAR message to Bowden that they are going to MAKE him leave at end of season…either the easy way, or the hard way.
Hard to say yet which FSU team will show up.
Ed
October 5th, 2009
2:31 pm
No one has done more for FSU football than Bobby Bowden has, and I doubt anyone will ever match his incredible run of excellence. But no one man is greater than a university or the football program as a whole. Fact is, Bowden hasn’t been an effective head coach in about 8 years. There’s no shame in that – the game has simply passed him by as it has many others (see Steve Spurrier).
Bowden is 15 years past retirement age. His success at FSU does not give him an unqualified right to preside over the program’s continuing demise, an FSU officials should have NEVER let one of the great coaches of all time (who for years was considered an innovative genius) slowly become a laughingstock. A tactful way should have been found to ease Bowden out around ‘03 or ‘04 – dealing with these issues in 2009 is just inexcusable.
I’ve always admired Bowden, but his pride and stubborness have not served him or FSU well in recent years.
Chip Towers
October 5th, 2009
2:37 pm
Thanks for the heads-up, Frank. New blog up about Khairi Fortt’s decision:
http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2009/10/05/4-star-lb-fortt-chooses-penn-state-over-georgia/
Ed
October 5th, 2009
2:44 pm
Just to make sure Bowden’s recent struggles weren’t mostly perception, I checked his won-loss record: Since the start of the ‘01 season, FSU has lost 39 games. That’s more games than FSU lost from 1981-2000, and we still have 7 games left in the ‘09 season.
Troof
October 5th, 2009
2:56 pm
Here’s how to fix FSU. Bowden retires and the entire staff, Fisher incldued, is let go. Richt leaves the sinking ship of UGA to return home to FSU. UGA can start fresh with a Chip Kelly-type of young coach who can revive that program. No excuses for the kind of sad results UGA puts on the field if they are supposedly bringing in all this talent. It must be the coaching then, right?
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 5th, 2009
3:10 pm
Khairi Fortt was already a silent commit to Penn State but he felt snubbed on his visit to UGA so he gave “that” as the reason he was not going to UGA. Unfortunately the players in charge of looking after Fortt had already known of his silent commit and weren’t interested in giving him free entertainment. Still – they were wrong to leave him.
Trade School Junkie
October 5th, 2009
3:20 pm
One key isssue is Jimbo’s Contract:
If Jimbo isnt the OFFICAL Head Coach by end of 2010 season,
FSU has to write him a $5,000,000 check. Period.
If you’re the FSU Board, its probably less expensive to dump Bowden than having to buy-out Jimbo’s contract.
Start saving money…TODAY, and dump Amato.
NoleRick
October 5th, 2009
3:55 pm
We will gladly take Richt back Dawg fans.
jj
October 5th, 2009
4:09 pm
its time for Bowden to turn it over to Jimbo. We all want to win another NCAA TITLE Bobby is over the hill
jj
October 5th, 2009
4:11 pm
Jimbo he ready to take us to the next ACC TITLE AND A NCAA TITLE
Mister NFL
October 5th, 2009
4:32 pm
Andrews and Amato are getting what they sow. Back door maneuvering to keep illegal players in school, recruiting “irregularities” (wink-wink), etc. I’ve had a couple of drunk fsu alums tell me they’re the evil doers for bobby, while he looks the other way.
GatorGuy
October 5th, 2009
4:50 pm
Four more years! Four more years!
Dawg Dude
October 5th, 2009
4:51 pm
You guys interested in Willie Martinez or Mike Bobo or a package deal for both? We will trade them for a 2 star recruit. I didnt think so.
Hal Combo
October 5th, 2009
4:52 pm
People, even Bear Bryant had to retire at 70…
Reality Check
October 5th, 2009
4:55 pm
Murray County Indian – You are either not a dawg fan starting something on a blog or just plain stupid! UGA has one of the best records in college football this decade and shows a ton of class. There isn’t a calssier coach in college football. We might need some new assistants soon though!
Hal Combo
October 5th, 2009
5:00 pm
Even though not an FSU fan, I’m old enough to remember the great Bobby Bowden whose offenses struck fear–and scored points by the bushel basket,– and Mickey Andrews’ defenses that were a threat to score at the slightest mistake of the opponents offense. Coach, it’s time to retire with grace and deserved respect and with all your great ex-players around you as an honor guard!
Captain
October 5th, 2009
5:20 pm
Chip – should we look for the AJC to do an Open Records request to find out who the players are that “deserted” Fortt on his visit, or will you folks choose to let this thing hang around hoping to create more controversy? I could be wrong, I’ve been wrong at least 3 times in my life, my intuition tells me “There’s more to the story with Fortt claiming he was deserted by his hosts” than his side of it. Coach Richt and Coach Garner are very diligent about choosing who escorts prospects while on official visits as well as conversing with those hosts afterwards. Giff Smith is right, you don’t trust your future to careless or unresponsible players. I’m wondering if the Penn St reporter created this or if Momma and Daddy wanted him in Athens but he wanted to go to Happy Valley so he trumpted up the story, or vice versa. This is the same Dad who was beside himself that Penn St leaked a report that his son had committed to PSU the prior week, claiming his son was still in deliberation over where to attend college. Yet, the SI story says he did indeed commit to Paterno during his official visit which means the denial was, shall we say, an untrue denial. It can get complicated trying to keep stories straight.
Otto
October 5th, 2009
5:22 pm
For everyone saying its time to dump Bobby, maybe Jimbo is the problem. He did not produce even when things were good down there. Bowden has not won since CMR stopped calling the plays, same goes for UGA. FSU needs an OC that can win games and not stir trouble.
Dawgs Drool!
October 5th, 2009
6:51 pm
ReptilesRule
October 5th, 2009
1:39 pm
Anyone who decides he wants to go from a National Championsip program like Florida to play Bozo Ball for Kiffey the Klown would not be all that smart anyway. Tennesssee is selling recruits hard on the premise that Monte’s gonna get them into the NFL. So what I expect most of those players to do is to play for themselves much more so than for the team, and as soon as they get the chance, to get the hell out of Klownville. Look at Eric Berry, promoted on billboards, I think the guy is even featured in a production rap video. A great player for the Vols, but the closest he’ll ever get to a championship game is Section C Row 32 Seat 5…
He’s already played in a SEC Championship game, stupid gayterd!
A Bulldog Mom
October 5th, 2009
7:42 pm
You need to know when it is time to retire. The Lord said pride goeth before the fall. It’s so interesting to me how EVERYTHING the Lord says turns out to be true!
Booger
October 5th, 2009
8:25 pm
it is all about recruiting and Bobby knows there is a problem. It is about effort and Bobby knows there is a problem. And the sad thing is the classless way this is being handled in Tallahassee, esp. with the local newspaper egging the negativity on. TK needs to tell Bobby the time has come. And Bobby needs to man up………….
misterwax
October 5th, 2009
8:49 pm
I can only hope that the turmoil boils up all week until late Sat. night and the Jackets get out of there with a win and no injuries…..then open the floodgates…..let the chips fall where they may. BZZZZZZZ!!!!
JustaThought
October 6th, 2009
7:09 am
I suspect that the recruiting in Fla is about to get real crazy down there with Miami coming back into play, and I think both UF and FSU are on high alert. The timing of this Bowden situation is right on the verge of being a real mess for FSU recruiting wise. FSU can not afford a complete meltdown for the rest of the season football wise, this as it is will cost them, but they really need to rally this team together, and focus on there remainding games.
SuperB
October 6th, 2009
7:46 am
I remind all of the Bowden-bashers that Penn State tried to run Joe Paterno out of town a short, few years ago. The Nittany Lions rebounded and so will FSU. Insiders KNOW this is Jimbo Fisher’s team. (Uncle Bobby is merely a figurehead.) Maybe its Jimbo who needs to go?
BobinBuford
October 6th, 2009
8:22 am
I think SuperB has it right. I remember watching the GT-FSU game last year and keeping an eye on Bowden. He basically spent the whole game walking up and down the sideline – almost seemed like he was more the disinterested advisor than the coach. About the only thing I noticed about him was that he changed hats at halftime.
#2 BAMA FAN
October 6th, 2009
9:07 am
It is time for Bobby Bowden to retire and enjoy his children and grandchildren!!
dogman
October 6th, 2009
12:07 pm
Bowden build FSU, period! they were wrong to hire some guy under him to take over while he was still there. really what has JIMBO done? just like Lane Kiffen, he’s going to sink FSU. Bowdwen should be able to leave when he wants to go, yeah they need to make some changes but pushing him out is the wrong answer!
Albert
October 7th, 2009
2:22 pm
Enter your comments All you crybaby FSU fan impostesr. I was around when FSU was like Tulane, Memphis, East Carolina. Everyone is spoiled. If it wasn’t for Bobby Bowden, you wouldn’t have had a powerhouse to cry about, FSU would still be an also-ran and losing 3-5 games a year would be good. Bowden has the right to do what he can and we need to suck it up and let HIM decide what is best. If he FEELS leaving would be best. most likely he would retire today. He’s an FSU tradition, be proud and back the team and quit complaining. All to complaints just put more pressurre on young players. It’s Bowden who is responsible for the football status we here at FSU has so you can gripe about. ….FSU TRUE FAN….I love FSU