Retired FSU football head coach Bobby Bowden passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday surrounded by his family. Coach Bowden was an incredible coach, arguably the biggest football coach of all time. Not only did he settle Florida State on the map by carrying the Seminoles from afterthought to dynasty, but he also left a memorable imprint on the game with an unusual mixture of coaching insight, generous demeanor, and compassion for those he groomed and competed against.
He was prominently known as the beloved, folksy Hall of Fame mentor who produced one of the most productive college football strategies in the record of history and died at the age of 91 at his range in Florida, encircled by his wife Ann and their six children following a fight with carcinoma. His son, Terry, called his demise truly peaceful. While he’s gone to heaven his legacy as top-notch will live on forever.
The numbers are Astonishing:
The great coach collected 377 victories during 40 years as a leading college coach and his teams gained a dozen Atlantic Coast Conference crowns and national titles in 1993 and 1999. Possibly the statistic that dives off the layer is his sustained achievement with Florida State, which completed the season categorized in the top five of The Associated Press college football count an unmatched 14 straight seasons under his mentorship (1987-2000).
Numbers just count for Bowden: The legacy
This the fella was possibly the biggest ambassador of all time because he had achievement coaching, but he was furthermore one of the tremendous people and establish an extraordinary example for everyone in our domain in terms of you don’t have to hate somebody, you don’t have to belittle somebody that you’re playing against, said Nick Saban, coach Alabama. That representation of being a nice person is something that can assist us all professionally. He wasn’t often just about him; he was invariably about supporting other people, he added.
Last month, the great coach Bowden announced a terminal illness, and being a devout Christian he always strived to serve God’s objective and he was well prepared for what is to come. He added that his wife, Ann, and his family have been the greatest blessing for life. He confessed that he was at peace! And as told by Saban that his life was a life incredibly well-lived.
Bowden was beloved by Seminoles fans, respected by his peers and throughout his life one of the foremost accessible stars in college football. His home number was listed in the Tallahassee phone book for years. News of his demise spread rapidly. His statue in Tallahassee, outside of Doak Campbell Stadium has been decorated with flowers and Florida State’s garnet with the gold color scheme. Coach Mike Norvell addressed players about Bowden before morning practice. Assistant head coach Odell Haggins, who played and coached under Bowden, commended his colleague for being a hard-nosed competition, but also the most compassionate coach.
The national championship
The national championship was won by Bowden in 1993 with Heisman Trophy-winning and again in 1999 together with his next Heisman winner, quarterback Chris Weinke, and All-American receiver Peter Warrick. The Seminoles were a challenger to earn the title every season for further than a decade. Florida State lost national championship competitions against Florida.
After retirement fame
Bowden kept up in the public eye after retirement, writing books, making speeches, and getting in the public eye with his healing for prostate cancer in 2007. His dismay of resigning from coaching arose in part from the death of his longtime hero, retired Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who passed away within weeks of evacuating the sidelines.