Bowden Era Gives Way to Fisher's Time at Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- While it was business as usual for Bobby Bowden Monday morning, change is in the air at Florida State.

The Seminoles returned to practice after an 18-day layoff in preparation for the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl against West Virginia. Much has transpired during the break. Bowden, 80, announced his retirement, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will succeed Bowden as planned, four assistants won't be retained and at least two new coaches have agreed to contract terms.

Former FSU quarterback Danny McManus, who led the 1987 Seminoles to an 11-1 finish that ignited the program's dynasty era, made the five-hour drive from his Sarasota home to personally thank Bowden for being a positive influence on his life.

"It's sad how it went down, but it is what it is," said McManus, 42, the MVP with 375 passing yards and three touchdowns in FSU's 31-28 Fiesta Bowl victory over Nebraska. The win marked the first of 14 consecutive 10-win seasons and Top-5 finishes in the Associated Press poll for the Seminoles.

McManus, the southeast regional scout for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, threw for more than 50,000 yards in 17 CFL seasons after a short stint in the NFL following his FSU career (1983-87). McManus stood off to the side and watched practice with wife Kathy and their two young boys, Jackson and Josh.

Bowden, scanning the end of practice from his golf cart, drove across the practice field to meet with McManus when the final horn sounded.

"The things we can do as former players is pay our respects and come back and show coach how much we appreciate what he did for us," McManus said.

"Coach gave us a chance to come here and helped us go out into the world and do the best things we can do. It all started here, giving us the opportunity.

"It was no problem driving up here from Sarasota to say thank you."

Bowden's final days at FSU will surely attract plenty of fanfare.

Not surprisingly, Bowden, who was forced to step down after 34 years at FSU, isn't in the mood for sentimental tributes. He's hopeful players play for themselves and the team and not get caught up in his retirement. Bowden's 388 coaching victories trail only Penn State's Joe Paterno as major college football's winningest coach.

Bowden's also not concerned how he's remembered.

"I don't want to think about it too much," Bowden said. "I really don't care. I haven't gotten anything to be ashamed of; maybe that will get me by."

The Seminoles (6-6), however, are determined to make sure Bowden's finale ends on a good note and prove they belong in the New Year's Day Gator Bowl against the Mountaineers (9-3).

The Gator Bowl, which sold out in less than two hours, selected FSU over three bowl-eligible ACC teams with better records to secure Bowden's final game against West Virginia. Bowden was the head coach at West Virginia before coming to FSU in 1976.

"We are not trying to focus on 'Let's win this for coach Bowden,' but obviously that's our goal and it would be great for us to accomplish that," All-ACC offensive lineman Rodney Hudson said.

"Stuff like this, coaching changes, happen everywhere and as football players you have to take it and keep playing football and prepare for the next game."

Fisher will soon become a collegiate head coach for the first time. He confirmed Monday he's close to signing a new contract, which, according to sources, is expected to be a five-year deal in the $1.5 million range.

Fisher has fired four coaches -- associate head coach Chuck Amato, running backs coach Dexter Carter, special teams/defensive ends coach Jody Allen and strength coach Todd Stroud. The quartet will coach in the bowl game, along with Mickey Andrews, the veteran defensive coordinator who is retiring after 26 years at FSU.

As FanHouse reported last week, Fisher has agreed to contract terms with Mark Stoops (defensive coordinator) of Arizona and Eddie Gran (running backs/special teams) of Tennessee. Fisher hopes to have his staff settled following the holidays.

"I am sure it will be a fun trip to Jacksonville, but it will be emotional as well," Allen told FanHouse following practice.

"What Coach Bowden has meant to me professionally as a coach but also what he has meant to me as a person, it's so significant. I am sure there are thousands of people who can tell that same story. That's what makes Coach Bowden so special. But [coaching changes] are also the nature of the business. It happens.

"All we can do is live right, coach as hard as we can and see what happens."

Fisher has made plenty happen the past two weeks.

In addition to coaching hires, FSU recruiting made a national splash when Fisher secured verbal commitments from two of the top defensive players in the country -- Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) linebacker Jeff Luc and Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback LaMarcus Joyner.

"That's exciting and important that we are getting the top recruits out of Florida," said freshman defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel, considered a cornerstone of the Seminoles' recruiting class last season and who is saddened by Bowden's departure.

Two of McDaniel's fondest memories of Bowden are the legendary coach's visit to his nearby hometown of Greensboro and watching the 80-year-old Bowden run steps in Doak Campbell Stadium.

"Now, I am telling you, coach is in great shape," McDaniel smiled.

"Coach Bowden means a lot to me. Living in the projects, it was a big deal to everyone in our area when coach came to my home. He's not only a coach but he's a father figure to myself and so many other players. He sees every player the same, treats every player the same and he wants to lead you in the right direction.

"I've been trying to keep up with all the changes and the new coaches who are coming in and what's going to happen. It's going to be different."

Fisher, who was named Bowden's successor in 2007, said Bowden has helped make the transition easy. However, Fisher stressed that Bowden retains full authority as head coach in terms of game plan until he retires following the bowl game.

Fisher spoke to the media Monday for the first time since Bowden announced his plans.

"Coach has been great," said Fisher, whose ties to the Bowden family go back to 1987, when he was a quarterback and Division III national player of the year for Terry Bowden's Samford team. Fisher is even pictured in his school year book smiling and wearing a FSU cap.

"He and I have have a great relationship," Fisher continued.

"That's the thing everyone forgets in this whole mess. We've sat and talked and I've bounced ideas off of him. I have such great respect for him. My hero is moving on, too; he was my hero."

While Bowden plans to move and distance himself from FSU following the bowl game, Fisher, who is also quick with a smile despite his intense nature, urged Bowden "to buy a cell phone" so the pair can remain in touch.

Fisher, however, also expects to pattern his approach after Alabama coach and good friend Nick Saban. Fisher coached under Saban at LSU.

"Nick has great structure and organization and built a support system around his players as well as anybody in college football," said Fisher, who plans to continue to work with FSU quarterbacks and call plays next season.

"In this day and time, I think he's on that cutting edge of doing things exactly the right way. Some of that will implemented with the same core values of coach Bowden."

Although Fisher didn't want to set a timetable on how quickly FSU can re-emerge as a national contender, he believes it will happen sooner than later. FSU hasn't had a losing season since Bowden's first year in 1976, but recent struggles have been magnified and led to Bowden's forced departure.

FSU has lost at least six games in three of the past four years.

"Even though the other schools have their time, if you do it right you can get back there relatively quick," Fisher said.

"This is a very special place and a very special job. You can do everything you want to do here, you can achieve everything you want to achieve, you are in a great town, you are in a great atmosphere, you are in state that does it and you have loyal fans and people who love the game. It's where I want to live and raise my family."

Of course, FSU's family is changing with the departure of Bowden.

"I don't think it will really hit us until he's gone," said quarterback Christian Ponder, expected back at full strength for spring drills following shoulder surgery. Ponder's father, David, also played for coach Bowden in the early 1980s.

"It will definitely be different next semester," Christian Ponder continued. "It will be weird.

"Obviously, it's also exciting to see where all these changes are going to lead us."