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FSU Trustee Asks Coach Bowden to Retire (Web Poll Included)
10/05/09 - 03:28 PM

Associated Press

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The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season.  Jim Smith says the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn’t working.
   
Bowden was asked about Smith’s comments at the coach’s weekly football luncheon at FSU. Bowden refused to comment.

Smith says there is sniping among the coaches and that Fisher is being blamed for things that aren’t his fault.  Smith went on to say there are too many cooks in the kitchen and that Fisher doesn’t have the authority some fans think he does.

On Sunday, two Florida papers - including the hometown Tallahassee Democrat - also said it’s time for Bowden to step down.

The Seminoles (2-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) are off to their worst start since Bowden’s first year at Florida State in 1976.

And while the school’s trustees don’t have immediate authority over coaches, they have significant influence since they are in effect the boss of university president T.K. Wetherell, who makes such hiring and firing decisions.
   
Wetherell, who played at the school when Bowden was an assistant coach in the mid-1960s, is also leaving as president when a successor is named. It was Wetherell who brokered the arrangement to bring Fisher in as the designated successor to Bowden and to run the offense after the 2006 season. As part of the deal, Fisher has a $5 million buyout if he’s not head coach by January 2011.

Smith said Fisher should take over following Florida State’s last game this season.  Smith said that arrangement has resulted in division among the
Florida State staff, an accusation Seminole coaches have vehemently denied.  He also said fund-raising has slowed significantly, and the school has an obligation to fans and alumni to be competitive.   

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)