December 4, 2007
FSU to name Fisher as coach-in-waiting?
I've been sitting on this for the better part of a week, but it's now being openly discussed, so... out with it.
FSU will finalize a contract extension with head coach Bobby Bowden this week at $2.5 million per year, plus incentives, "for for as long as he continues to be the Seminoles football coach".
In addition to the salary and annual incentives, the new deal will pay Bowden a guaranteed $1 million lifetime achievement bonus if & when he retires from FSU.
The interesting twist is that the new agreement will name Florida State OC Jimbo Fisher as Bowden's eventual successor, should Fisher agree to accept the position.
With Bowden in his final year(s), the Seminoles are looking to secure the future.
Fisher as hand-picked Bowden's heir apparent has long been rumored within certain circles at FSU. University president T.K. Wetherell alluded to the widely rumored handshake deal a few weeks ago in comments.
Everyone within the program believes in Fisher, and so he's their man, but there has been considerable debate to the merits of publicly naming Fisher as coach-in-waiting.
On one hand, FSU can send a visible message to recruits that the coaching staff at FSU will largely remain in place for years to come. It gives the fanbase some signal as to the plan, especially when many are beginning to question the team's future. It gives Fisher some visible signal that he doesn't need to entertain offers from other schools. On the flip side, what if Fisher falls out of favor with the university or a different candidate is available?
So... any move to name a coach in waiting is certainly a double-edged sword for the Seminoles. That said, it is a risk that FSU is -- apparently -- ready to take.
In trying to look at this objectively, I think this is probably the best for all parties. The pressure is growing on Bowden to make his intentions clear and this is likely to be enough to keep the wolves at bay for the time being. Bowden badly wants to go out on top and this move buys him a little time to do so. I know the coaching staff wants to get the team to a conference championship level and give the coach the season he deserves.
I think it also signals Bowden's true feelings to the fanbase. He is not "hanging around for the record" and that he truly cares about the future and his legacy at FSU. Meanwhile, Fisher has endeared himself to the FSU community as if he has been there for years already. The university wants to keep him long-term, and this will give him (and the team/recruits/fans) some much deserved security.
So, in the end, maybe this is the right move for Bowden, Fisher, and the Noles.
Comments:
CFB Fan said:
posted on December 4, 2007 11:44 AM — 192.131.99.130 — link — abuse?
This is a great move by Florida State.
Penn State/Joe Paterno please take note!
Joe is a legend, but I believe at this time he is only hurting the Penn State football program.
Face it, Joe will be 81 on December 21.
IMHO, the young men being recruited by Penn State should have some idea who will be the next head football coach.
Jon said:
posted on December 4, 2007 11:48 AM — 68.84.19.20 — link — abuse?
I think in all likelihood this will be Bowdens last year.
He has fought father time valiantly, but in the end, it catches all of us.
As a lifelong die-hard FSU fan, it pains me to admit it, but he really is mentally and physically showing signs of needing to walk-away... especially this year. As far as I'm concerned, he has a free pass to stay on and be there as long as he chooses, but out of respect to his legacy, he elects to leave before he losses too much more of his grace.
I also have to deal with the reality that Joe Paterno strikes me as someone who is in a lot better physical and mental shape for his age. (even though he is 3-years older). Paterno is still pretty damn sharp and will probably still be coaching Penn State after Bowden is done. And will probably still be alive, after Bowden passes.
Joe seems to have won the genetic lottery. He may live to be 100.
Seminole Jack said:
posted on December 4, 2007 12:38 PM — 66.147.117.53 — link — abuse?
I have heard the rumors about Jimbo being named the successor before the season even started.
The big concern that I have is that Jimbo has never ever been a head coach on the college level that I know of. He has always been a coordinator, and it is alot diffrent being a head coach.
But maybe he is currently running the team now, because Bowden has not been for awhile now. But how can you ask him to leave, the program was horrible before he showed up?
GatorMatt
posted on December 4, 2007 7:05 PM — 70.171.18.91 — link — abuse?
said:
Judging by Bobby signing this new contract, it looks like next years UF/FSU game won't be anything special either. I remember the day when I wasn't sure who was gonna win that one, and it was usually a nail biter. My how I miss those days of old
Jon said:
posted on December 4, 2007 7:27 PM — 68.84.19.20 — link — abuse?
Judging by Bobby signing this new contract, it looks like next years UF/FSU game won't be anything special either. I remember the day when I wasn't sure who was gonna win that one, and it was usually a nail biter. My how I miss those days of old
You can expect rapid changes within FSU. We showed a lot of signs of this past year. As our new OL coach recruits his type of players, our team will become much better at pass and run blocking. As Fisher recruits a QB to suite his style of offense, our offense will begin to gel.
1st_and_NOLE
posted on December 4, 2007 8:11 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
This is a great move by FSU. You can tell by listening to Fisher talk he has a great football mind and he has a sense about him that soon enough he'll make an excellent HC one day.
If Fisher decides to wait, he's going to be a great replacement. If he chooses to leave FSU, he'll make a great HC somewhere else.
Hopefully he stays.
Zac said:
posted on December 4, 2007 8:51 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
I don't know if this is a good move or not. We can speculate, but none of us will really know until after Jimbo has taken the reigns. Many of us have discussed the fact that great DC's and OC's do not necessarily a great HC make. Only time, results, and the quality of men he develops will determine that. If this is truly to be his destiny, then all the best to Jimbo Fisher.
There's nothing I can say about Bobby Bowden, or Joe Paterno for that matter, that hasn't already been said. Like my father, I wish they could live for ever. Sadly, and rightfully so, that won't happen for any of them, not to mention any of us. So, as a consolation, I would like for Bowden and Paterno to go out winners. (My dad's already a winner.) Of course, that goes without saying, given all each has accomplished. I'm not necessarily talking a NC, but it would be nice to see each earn a big win in a big bowl against a decent team. Then, we can all watch them fade away into the sun-set. Till then, I'm grateful to have things as they are.
posted on December 4, 2007 9:46 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
The writing has been on the wall for a while, you're right. Fisher's move from the press box to the sideline with a few games left in the season was just the most visible sign, but there are others.
@ Gatorhippy - Every worm turns, brother. And I think you'll see a significant difference between a Fisher-coached team and a team on which Fisher coaches.
One final shoutout for Jeff Bowden -- Viva la Jump Ball!
1st_and_NOLE
posted on December 5, 2007 8:29 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
A big thing this will help with is recruiting. Now it will be harder for opposing coaches to use the "well you don't know when Bobby will retire and who will replace him" because now recruits can meet Bowden AND his replacement (if he retires while the recruit is still in school).
The class Fisher is assembling with the other coaches is outstanding. This will provide security for the direction of the program.
The toughest thing a program will ever do is replace a legend coach like Bowden. This will give the fans and recruits the security of where the program is going after Bowden.
Not to mention, this will help Fisher make a smooth transition from OC to HC because he's familiar with the program, facilities, administration, and recruiting at FSU.
I'm excited about the move.
posted on December 6, 2007 9:58 AM — 150.176.192.1 — link — abuse? said:
How much does a HC in wiating get paid? At FSU I would expect this to be more than most teams would pay a HC. With this FSU is commiting to keep Fisher happy so he does not go elsewhere.
This move allows Bowden to take a step back into a recruiting/fundrasing tool for the team and allow Fisher to begin having more control of the team.
This sounds like Bowden wanting to retire, but not wanting to leave his recruits before they graduate.
1st_and_NOLE
posted on December 6, 2007 7:22 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
Ben #18:
From what I heard FSU will be paying Jimbo Fisher slightly under $1 million to be the coach in waiting. I think the figure is in the $800,000 - $975,000 range. Also, he gets a $1 million buyout if FSU hires someone instead of him as it's next HC.
gatorhippy
posted on December 7, 2007 2:22 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi calls this " a brilliant and a desperate move and a meaningless move all rolled into one perplexing package"...
I agree whole heartedly...
Tomcat said:
posted on December 9, 2007 12:36 AM — 68.93.140.127 — link — abuse?
#24 whats the matter? you cant handle the truth?
That the WAC is the Best-Hawaii #1 and Bois St would go undefeated in the SEC
#23 Your right 1st and Nole however if you go back and read some of them, even though they are demented, some are actually quite comical
Kinda reminds me of a country song
He's a legend in his own mind
Adios TomcatAdRock said:
posted on December 10, 2007 3:09 PM — 65.15.92.46 — link — abuse?
It's called succession planning - every successful company does it. And, considering the millions of dollars generated by college football, it's not surprising to see a college acting like a Fortune 500 company. Perhaps, this is the beginng of a new era and FSU is at the forefront.
Oh. GatorMatt, this year was blowout; congratulations. But, come on, last year was anything but a blow out and that happened to be your championship year.
Bevo Boy said:
posted on December 10, 2007 6:12 PM — 207.200.116.5 — link — abuse?
Like these:
GO TO BED GET YOUR SEARS CATALOG OUT, WHIP THAT CHICKEN WITH THE OF YOUR MICHIGAN FLUNKIES
BUCKEYES ARE CHICKEN CRAP, THEIR SCURRED OF THEM TOO. WEST VIRGINIA HAS BEEN TRYIN TO GET A HOME AND AWAY WITH OSU FOR YEARS. 2014 IT HAPPENS. THANKS SWEATERVEST. BEVO ILL PIMP SLAP YOU FOR RUNNIN YOUR BIG MOUTH, PUNK. S. FLORIDA WOULD DESTROY YOUR BIG 10 PATTSIES. PEACE IM OUT
(not sure where he gets that I like the Big 10)EVERYBODY BEVO BOY WILL TALK SH#@ BUT NEVER BACK IT UP. HE IS COMPLETE LOSER. HE IS THE KID WHO SH#$ HIS PANTS IN HIGH SCHOOL. HE GOT CAUGHT WHIPPIN THE CHICKEN TO THE SEARS CATALOG UNDERWEAR SECTION IN HIS COLLEGE DORM AT RICE. HE SCREWED A BEAGLE BECAUSE HE COULD. A MODEL AMERICAN
Certainly can't put them all and I couldn't find the worst one but that should give you an idea of what his other posts looked like.Tomcat said:
posted on December 11, 2007 4:07 AM — 69.148.199.64 — link — abuse?
Hey Bevo Boy- Sears catalog come on man everybody knows including coondog that National Geographic is better and that Beagles aint as ugly as coondogs
BTW He didnt realize that he was complimenting you on your education-Rice purty cool putdown
beats the hell outa Bois right?
Hookem-Horns
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OU-Ron
said:
posted on December 4, 2007 11:20 AM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse?This sounds good for Fisher and FSU, but you have to wonder how long he's willing to wait for his chance to be the HC, this year is a perfect example for the need of quality Coache's, I'm sure a lot of schools would like to have him...