Dr. Saturday - NCAAF

Hard to blame any struggling paper for going for the hilarious lead -- "Bobby Bowden says the NCAA is targeting Florida State for academic cheating because it doesn't like FSU's mascot " -- but the real news in the Miami Herald's weekend story on Bowden is that the old coach came stunningly close to announcing a date to officially hand the reins to coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fishe (emphasis added)r:

Before addressing Miami Seminole Club boosters recently, Bowden, 79, said he expects to coach the 2010 season. But retirement appears likely after that. ''This won't be the last one, good Lord willing, if He doesn't take me out,'' Bowden said of his offseason tour.

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher gets a $5 million payout if he isn't FSU's head coach by Jan. 11, 2011. Doesn't that factor into Bowden's retirement decision? ''I don't want to answer that,'' Bowden said. ''But if you put two and two together, you'll be right.'' Bowden conceded, "My days are limited, but I still enjoy what I do. I would rather walk off quietly. That's the reason I won't say when I'm going to get out because people start counting the days and saying that's the last time he's going to play here.''

2 + 2 + Owing Jimbo Fisher $5 million in 2011 = Bowden plans to retire at the end of 2010.

I understand Bowden's reticence to name a date from the perspective of avoiding a media hullaballoo, but personally, I don't know why anyone would eschew a good retirement tour or the potential booty -- recliners, jackets, watches, paintings -- that might accompany it. The media's going to be on your case, anyway, coach; we'll make crazy assumptions and write "This could be the last time Bowden visits ..." and insist on asking the big question at every press conference, no matter what. Might as well embrace the loot.

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  1. PurdueMatt
    1. Posted by PurdueMatt Mon May 18, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    I hope he doesn't catch Paterno.
  2. cowboy pj
    2. Posted by cowboy pj Mon May 18, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    go get them bobby in 2009/2010
  3. cstubby45
    3. Posted by cstubby45 Mon May 18, 2009 10:13 pm EDT

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    Expect to see a 'silver alert' put on the scoreboard everytime Bowden walks the sidelines. How can 'he' enjoy being described by the media as LOST? Now he's blaming the NCAA heat on the mascot. Do you think just maybe that it might be actual cheating by your players? Even one of your 'star' players admitted the cheating was widespread and well-known by all. You can't go 25+ years coaching and be totally unaware of what is happening around you. What a legacy you have built.
  4. PhilInYork
    4. Posted by PhilInYork Mon May 18, 2009 10:45 pm EDT

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    the ncaa has to decide on the vacated wins appeal in 8 days or less. Any wonder that he is making retirement noise at this exact moment? when he looses, there is not much reason to keep at it. he may not win 15 games in the next two years.
  5. gtrbj
    5. Posted by gtrbj Tue May 19, 2009 8:30 am EDT

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    Ol head c r i m -a-nolie himself. it is always somebody eles fault with this old clown. retire soon!
  6. Drak
    6. Posted by Drak Tue May 19, 2009 10:45 am EDT

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    it's been time for bobby to go and i say that as a nole fan. it's interesting the hatred for the man, though. i guess some people will never be able to square with the fact that he had fun kicking ass in the college football world and it was at the expense of many of your favorite teams. sure his record isn't what it used to be but that doesn't change the fact that he has enjoyed more success in the game than most are ever allowed. have that with your morning cafe!
  7. bigboo's bro
    7. Posted by bigboo's bro Tue May 19, 2009 11:43 am EDT

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    Let's hope he keeps it a secret until the night before to spare us the undignified spectacle of a mass arselicking by the sports media. It will be so frenzied that even the slurp-king Mussberger might sprain his tongue.
  8. KnoxNole
    8. Posted by KnoxNole Tue May 19, 2009 12:09 pm EDT

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    man what a bunch of haters. bobby will be out soon enough, no worries but you people need to get over hating the man. he's a good guy and a great coach. the media usually only prints half of any story and for those of you who haven't figured that out yet...get a grip.
  9. ruby b
    9. Posted by ruby b Tue May 19, 2009 12:16 pm EDT

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    Will Jimbo be able to select a pansy conference like Bowden did? He could choose the Conference USA, Mid American or Sunbelt, none of which has a top 25 team. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get into the ACC.
  10. Funbags
    10. Posted by Funbags Tue May 19, 2009 1:15 pm EDT

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    Wow. A bunch of haters here. Bobby Bowden is the greatest football coach ever. Is he past his prime? Yes. Do you all wish that he could have coached your teams to extremely successful seasons decade after decade? Yes. Quit hating. He is one of the most honorable men to ever touch the game.
  11. ruby b
    11. Posted by ruby b Tue May 19, 2009 1:24 pm EDT

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    "He is one of the most honorable men to ever touch the game."? This would be the same "...most honorable man to ever touch the game" who discovered the pride of FSU, Deion Sanders never went to class and the "honorable" Bowden said he was going to 'look into it" right after the bowl game? Did he ever 'look into it"? Compare him to JoPa who played real teams? I don't think so.
  12. Cyan
    12. Posted by Cyan Tue May 19, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Reins. Hand the reins.
    Why do so many sportswriters get this one wrong?
  13. Crissy P
    13. Posted by Crissy P Tue May 19, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    Just wanted to say to all of you who believe that no other college has had a student cheat on an exam you must be STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least FSU told of what happened how many other schools have just let this slip right by...... As for Bobby he is a great coach and a great man. GO NOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  14. Marcus P
    14. Posted by Marcus P Tue May 19, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    I hope its 2010 after we win another Championship!!! Send Bobby out on a great note!
  15. Jason J
    15. Posted by Jason J Tue May 19, 2009 5:47 pm EDT

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    Real teams? wow! Why do you think they used to call him "the king of the road" or "river boat gambler"? He single handedly built that program by playing anyone, anywhere, anytime. BTW, you'll get your wish soon enough(retirement) but be careful what you wish for.
  16. scott123moreys
    16. Posted by scott123moreys Tue May 19, 2009 6:12 pm EDT

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    Coach Bowden will be out soon enough then all you haters will be saying, dang I miss Bowden at the end, FSU is kicking everyones A** again.
  17. MarkSouthFL
    17. Posted by MarkSouthFL Tue May 19, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    I think your math is close, but not quite exactly right.
    2 + 2 + Owing Jimbo Fisher $5 million in 2011 = Randy Spetman will be discreetly urging Bowden to retire.
    As I understand it, the $5M is in addition to Fisher's annual salary, but even if I'm wrong, if Bobby coaches in 2011, Jimbo Fisher would make more money any HEAD COACH in college football, including Nick Saban or, um, Bobby Bowden.
    Assuming, of course, Urban Meyer doesn't get that much to go to Notre Dame. Or to NOT go to Notre Dame.
  18. ruby b
    18. Posted by ruby b Tue May 19, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    Bowden plays real teams? What is the series record of FSU-Tenn; FSU-UGA;FSU-Alabama;FSU-LSU. Yeah, they're too far to travel. FSU plays pansy teams and pretends they're big time. Gutless wonders.
  19. B-Dub
    19. Posted by B-Dub Tue May 19, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

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    OK ruby b, u can stop suckin ur own peni$. Last time we played Alabama, we whooped their ass, U don't make the schedule, I don't make the schedule so shut the f--- up and watch the game. I sure woudlliketo know who your team is...Gutless my ass! Ur a turd bye bye!
  20. ruby b
    20. Posted by ruby b Tue May 19, 2009 10:48 pm EDT

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    Bowden's been making the schedule for 20+ years. He's beeen playing candy ass teams and saying "Dadgum" and HalfAssU fans and sports writers have pretended he's in the same league as real coaches and real teams. Not hardly.
  21. devildog43
    21. Posted by devildog43 Wed May 20, 2009 4:58 am EDT

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    Answer to Ruby B - Ala 1-2-1, Ga 4-6-1, LSU 7-2, Nebraska 6-2 (when they were good), Southern Cal 2-0, Ohio State 3-0, Tenn 1-1, Penn State 1-1-1 plus plays Florida and Miami every year and during the 14 year streak of top 5 finishes and and 2 National Championships. You play the schools in your conference, don't forget FSU wanted to go to the SEC in 91' but the SEC didn't want them...took South Carolina instead...real power house. Lets not forget Bobby brought FSU from no where back in 76' to one of the top programs in college football. Lets not forget what he did for Marshall University after the terrible tragedy when he was at West Virginia. All college programs football/basketball have scandals, but I believe what Coach Bowden has done for college football, football in the state of Florida, and his players outweighs the bad headlines.
  22. devildog43
    22. Posted by devildog43 Wed May 20, 2009 5:24 am EDT

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    one more thing...Coach Bowden at least has FSU best interest in mind...selected his successor, which runs the offense and has been recruiting players to fit his scheme over the past two years and during recruiting, which Coach Fisher does personally, can say to the recruit...you'll play for one of the greatest coaches in college football Coach Bowden, but when Coach Bowden retires, I'll still be there running this team and you'll be part of that Team....GO NOLES!!!!!!
  23. ruby b
    23. Posted by ruby b Wed May 20, 2009 7:05 am EDT

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    "...don't forget FSU wanted to go to the SEC in 91' but the SEC didn't want them..."? This would be Bobby"I'd never win a nationalchampionship if I had to play SEC teams every week" Bowden who choose the mighty ACC instead of the SEC? Now that FSU can't win their division of the ACC, time to give Jimbo the same gift to join a pansy conference. Nice try.
  24. Tyler
    24. Posted by Tyler Wed May 20, 2009 2:34 pm EDT

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    ruby b -
    you quite obviously aren't informed about CFB in general. devildog hit the nail on the head so many times it sunk in all the way! I think we'd really all like to know who your team is. Let me guess - the last three years of UF???

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