“Head Coach In Waiting, Part II”

I continue this week with more thoughts on the situation at Florida State with Head Coach Bobby Bowden and Head Coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher. As I said last week I didn’t like the Head Coach in waiting idea in 2007 when Bowden, Fisher and FSU all agreed to the concept. And I don’t like it any better these days.

Bowden has made two statements recently that are dead on the money. Last week he said that winning would take care of everything. Before Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech Bowden told the players that it is not about him but it is about the team. I agree with him 100%.

The problem is they lost again and are off to their worst start (2-4) since Bowden’s first year at FSU (1976). They are 0-3 in ACC for the first time since joining the conference. Clearly something is not working. The team or program doesn’t appear to be heading in the right direction.

After some public officials said Bowden should call it quits after this season, FSU has reiterated that Bowden can coach through 2010 if he so chooses. However they are also rewording Fisher’s contract at the end of this season to give him sole authority for hiring and firing assistant coaches. While winning will take care of everything, losing doesn’t take care of anything. Rumors of coaches not getting along and dividing into factions are swirling. While none of us know for sure just how accurate these rumors are, it would be no surprise if there is some truth to the rumors. Finger pointing is not uncommon when you are 2-4 and 0-3 in conference play.

So what is going to happen at the end of the season? Bowden will decide if he wants to coach another year. And Fisher will begin assembling the assistant coaches for next season, which includes replacing out going longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.

I am a big time admirer of Bowden, both on and off the field. He ranks in the top three all time college football coaches in my book. He has certainly earned the right to coach another year if he so chooses. But I would hope that Bowden would truly be honest with himself in answering two questions. Will his staying for one more year make FSU a better football team and better football program? And will it help in the transition from the Bowden era to the Fisher era. Because, as Bobby said it so well, this should not be about what is best for Bobby Bowden, but rather what is best for the FSU football team and program. And as much as it pains me to say it, I am not convinced his staying will make them a better team or help in the coaching transition. If he decides to stay I hope I am wrong. But either way, Simply Put, Go ‘Noles.

From the front porch: Coach said that we are motivated by our goals and paralyzed by our fears.