Bobby Bowden is Star of Show in Tallahassee -- at Friday Book Signing

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State football fans had plenty of options here Friday night.

There was the Downtown Getdown, a popular street party held on the eve of home games at Doak Campbell Stadium.

There was FSU's Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the University Center Club. Former players Corey Simon and Peter Warrick and former defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews were among the eight inductees and the first representatives from the 1999 national championship team that was the first to go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team.

What a difference the year(s) make.

Bobby Bowden, who saved FSU football from extinction and led it to a pair of national titles (1993 and 1999), was also in town Friday night. He too attracted a large, enthusiastic crowd that paid its respect -- in book sales, applause and smiles -- to the iconic 80-year-old.

Bowden's reign at FSU has come to an end and it will be up to Jimbo Fisher to return the Seminoles to college football glory. Bowden's celebrating his new life as a motivational speaker and author following his forced retirement from FSU nine months ago.

While Fisher and the Seminoles were tucked away at a local hotel, Bowden sat at a table in the back of the Books-A-Million store, located only miles from his long-time home on the Killearn Country Club & Inn golf course.

Bowden, looking healthy and energized, feverishly signed his new book that hit bookshelves around the country last week: "Called to Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football."

More than 250 people stood in a line that snaked through and around the store's aisles. Many carried multiple books, digital cameras and FSU apparel.

Bowden, sharply dressed in slacks, a dress shirt and a gold blazer, waved at the crowd as he arrived through a back door with his publicist Kimberly Shiff and co-author Mark Schlabach, a collegiate columnist for ESPN.

With two soft drinks, two bottled waters and a number of black Sharpie markers on a table cloaked by a garnet covering, Bowden, college football's second-winningest coach, went to work for the next 2 1/2 hours.

Fans actually started to arrive at the store more than two hours before Bowden's arrival, and an estimated 1,000 books were sold.

The book gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at his legendary career and what helped him become a success.

Among the things Bowden did for the book was give Schlabach access to a folder that included more than 30 years of pregame speeches. Bowden also revealed moments that defined his life, including the tragic death of his grandson and son-in-law in a 2004 automobile accident, details of his retirement and the resignation of son Jeff as FSU's offensive coordinator in 2006.

Yet, it was apparent by the reception that people love Bowden and he loves being around people.

Kathryn Sanders, who was born and raised here but now lives in Valdosta, Ga., was the first in line with her family. Sanders actually arrived at the store at 8 a.m. to pick up the numbered ticket -- No. 1 in her case -- that was required for the book signing.

Bowden signed books for three generations of Sanders' family, nine in all. Her five-year-old son could actually sing lyrics from a long-forgotten song that the family copied from cassette to DVD called "Rock 'n' 'Nole."

"He's a legend. He made FSU what it is today," Kathryn Sanders said of Bowden. "He's a good Christian man."

Many are in agreement that regardless of how you felt about Bowden during his final seasons, whether or not you thought it was time for him to step aside, the ending was fumbled and not handled well.

"It was a raw deal," Sanders said without hesitation.

Bowden has new, exciting deals these days. Yet, he will take time on Saturday to watch FSU on television with wife Ann and others at his home here or in Panama City Beach. He expects it to be emotional.

Bowden was Samford's quarterback in 1950 when the Bulldogs (then known as Howard College) played the Seminoles in the only prior meeting of the two schools. Fisher also is a Samford alum.

The game marks the first time since Sept. 11, 1976, that Bowden won't be the Seminoles' head coach. He has intentionally stayed away, too. In fact, Bowden was voted into the 2010 Hall of Fame class as well but he requested that his induction be postponed until 2011.

The Bowden era at FSU has ended. While he doesn't want to coach football any more, he hasn't retired either. He wants to stay busy.

Like FSU fans, Bowden has options, too.