October 5, 2009

FSU Trustee: 'I think enough is enough'

On the heels of two embarrassing losses which have shaken the confidence of even the most faithful Florida State boosters, the chairman of the FSU Board of Trustees is publicly calling for legendary coach Bobby Bowden's retirement.

The final straw appears to be FSU's loss to Boston College before a televised audience that showed the nation's 99th offense rack up more than 400 yards against the Seminoles defense and yet another failed goal-line drive for the Florida State offense, the fourth time in the last two game that FSU has been stopped with first and goal inside the ten.

Despite an impressive win over BYU earlier this season, Florida State (2-3) is off to their worst start in more than a quarter of a century. In the past 11 games against DI-A opponents, FSU is just 5-6 and has not won back-to-back games during that span. And following the 28-21 loss to the Eagles, the Noles are 0-2 in ACC play for the first time in the school's history.

Jim Smith, the chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat that change must come to Seminole football.

"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," said Smith... "… 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."

Smith cautioned that change shouldn't come midseason, but insisted that it come after this season.

One complicating factor is that FSU President, T.K. Wetherell, has announced his own retirement. There is some debate that Wetherell, who once played for Bowden at Florida State, may not be in a position to force the coach's resignation, should Bowden not be inclined to retire. However, Smith insisted that the talks are ongoing within the Office of the Presindent, as the Trustees do not want to leave the matter for an incoming university president.

FSU named Jimbo Fisher as head coach in waiting in 2007 under a contract that would guarantee him the position following the 2010 season or a cash payment of $5 million. FSU fans were buoyed by the move initially, but have grown more impatient as the Noles have arguably regressed in the 2009 campaign.

Smith told the Tallahassee Democrat that FSU is working on the terms of a head coaching contract for Fisher. While details have not been announced, the Democrat said the term would be for five years and give Fisher the ability to hire and fire assistant coaches at the end of this season.

A number of rumors are lighting up FSU message boards, all signaling infighting between the FSU assistant coaches, including Fisher.

One such rumor had long-term defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews challenging Fisher over who should give the pre-game speech to the team. While no media organization has been able to confirm the rumors, it really shouldn't surprise anyone - considering that FSU has a head coach, a coach in waiting, an executive head coach, an associate head coach and an assistant head coach.

New rumors are swirling that an announcement regarding the coaching staff may be coming this week; however, I think that is highly unlikely, especially as it relates to Bowden. An announcement regarding the future of the team - including a new contract for Fisher - would be more likely after this week's game, as the Seminoles have a bye week following the Georgia Tech game.

Fisher drew both intense support and criticism for his comments following the loss to South Florida, saying that FSU players and fans need a culture change.

"I don't mean this in any disrespect - we have to forget the past," he said. "This isn't Florida State of the '90s. This is Florida State of the 2000s. Whether it's good or bad... we have to create our own history. We have to create our own culture. We have to create our own mystique. That's what those guys did during that time."

FSU fans have taken to Facebook to initiate a black-out campaign at all remaining home games as a signal to the administration that the time has come for change.

From my perspective, Smith's comments signal an intense behind-the-scenes effort to encourage Bowden's retirement haven't born fruit. As a result, the university is now upping the ante, with Smith publicly stating what many within the university have been saying for months.

For his part, Bowden has said that he will evaluate his future at the end of the season -- as he does every year -- regardless of the support or criticism he faces.

"'I've been through it. I'm old. I won't listen. I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. Some people tell me, but I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. I know a lot of coaches don't even read the sports page.

But I will determine my situation. I will tell Florida State University when my move is to come. I already know in the back of my mind when I want to leave here. I won't let some guys speculation tell me when to move or what decision to make. If it has something to do with that, it will be based with me and the president of our university."

And the 79-year old coach insisted that he isn't throwing in the towel on FSU's season during the post-game press conference.

"I think there's enough quality on this football team and enough brains on this staff to eventually get this thing together," Bowden said. "We get beat here, we get beat there, we close that, we lose this here and it's just a matter that you can't give up. You can't give up, I refuse to."

Comments:

FSU Trustee: 'I think enough is enough'
On the heels of two embarrassing losses which have shaken the confidence of even the most faithful Florida State boosters, the chairman of the FSU Board of Trustees is publicly calling for legendary coach Bobby Bowden's retirement. The final straw appears to be FSU's loss to Boston College before a televised audience that showed the nation's 99th offense rack up more than 400 yards against the Seminoles defense and yet another failed goal-line drive for the Florida State offense, the fourth time in the last two game that FSU has been stopped with first and goal inside the ten. Despite an impressive win over BYU earlier this season, Florida State (2-3) is off to their worst start in more than a quarter of a century. In the past 11 games against DI-A opponents, FSU is just 5-6 and has not won back-to-back games during that span. And following the 28-21 loss to the Eagles, the Noles are 0-2 in ACC play for the first time in the school's history. Jim Smith, the chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat that change must come to Seminole football.

"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," said Smith... "… 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."

Smith cautioned that change shouldn't come midseason, but insisted that it come after this season. One complicating factor is that FSU President, T.K. Wetherell, has announced his own retirement. There is some debate that Wetherell, who once played for Bowden at Florida State, may not be in a position to force the coach's resignation, should Bowden not be inclined to retire. However, Smith insisted that the talks are ongoing within the Office of the Presindent, as the Trustees do not want to leave the matter for an incoming university president. FSU named Jimbo Fisher as head coach in waiting in 2007 under a contract that would guarantee him the position following the 2010 season or a cash payment of $5 million. FSU fans were buoyed by the move initially, but have grown more impatient as the Noles have arguably regressed in the 2009 campaign. Smith told the Tallahassee Democrat that FSU is working on the terms of a head coaching contract for Fisher. While details have not been announced, the Democrat said the term would be for five years and give Fisher the ability to hire and fire assistant coaches at the end of this season. A number of rumors are lighting up FSU message boards, all signaling infighting between the FSU assistant coaches, including Fisher. One such rumor had long-term defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews challenging Fisher over who should give the pre-game speech to the team. While no media organization has been able to confirm the rumors, it really shouldn't surprise anyone - considering that FSU has a head coach, a coach in waiting, an executive head coach, an associate head coach and an assistant head coach. New rumors are swirling that an announcement regarding the coaching staff may be coming this week; however, I think that is highly unlikely, especially as it relates to Bowden. An announcement regarding the future of the team - including a new contract for Fisher - would be more likely after this week's game, as the Seminoles have a bye week following the Georgia Tech game. Fisher drew both intense support and criticism for his comments following the loss to South Florida, saying that FSU players and fans need a culture change.

"I don't mean this in any disrespect - we have to forget the past," he said. "This isn't Florida State of the '90s. This is Florida State of the 2000s. Whether it's good or bad... we have to create our own history. We have to create our own culture. We have to create our own mystique. That's what those guys did during that time."

FSU fans have taken to Facebook to initiate a black-out campaign at all remaining home games as a signal to the administration that the time has come for change. From my perspective, Smith's comments signal an intense behind-the-scenes effort to encourage Bowden's retirement haven't born fruit. As a result, the university is now upping the ante, with Smith publicly stating what many within the university have been saying for months. For his part, Bowden has said that he will evaluate his future at the end of the season -- as he does every year -- regardless of the support or criticism he faces.

"'I've been through it. I'm old. I won't listen. I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. Some people tell me, but I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. I know a lot of coaches don't even read the sports page. But I will determine my situation. I will tell Florida State University when my move is to come. I already know in the back of my mind when I want to leave here. I won't let some guys speculation tell me when to move or what decision to make. If it has something to do with that, it will be based with me and the president of our university."

And the 79-year old coach insisted that he isn't throwing in the towel on FSU's season during the post-game press conference.

"I think there's enough quality on this football team and enough brains on this staff to eventually get this thing together," Bowden said. "We get beat here, we get beat there, we close that, we lose this here and it's just a matter that you can't give up. You can't give up, I refuse to."