Who to Believe: Bowden or FSU

As many of you loyal readers are aware of by now, Bobby Bowden and Florida State have been throwing grenades and launching mortars at one another the last few days concerning his ouster. Bowden says he was forced out. Former university president T.K. Wetherell says he "resigned." So, who do we believe?

Personally, I believe Bowden. Coach Bowden was forced out. Wetherell, while claiming Bowden "resigned," has never denied Bowden's claims in terms of the options given to him. Bowden could either come back as an "ambassador coach" (whatever the hell that means) and have no real role in coaching, or he could retire and walk away. I don't know about you, but if my boss came to me with those options, I too would think I was being fired. "Oh, you can stay, you just won't be able to do your job at this company. You know, the one you rescued, built, and turned into a powerhouse for 34 years!"

Look, I know Bowden's record since 2006 is nothing to smile about (30-22), not discounting the vacated wins. Yet, from 1992-2005, his Florida State teams won the ACC every year except in 2001 and 2004. They played for the BCS Championship 3 years in a row from 1998-2000, winning it in 1999. The man recorded at least 10 wins every year from 1987-2000. Now, I don't care who you are or what your expectations are, but that is pretty damn impressive! Oh yeah, add two national championships to that as well and I am sure you will be more than satisfied.

My point here, like the one I would make if we were talking about Joe Paterno, is that a man who is the face of a program, like Bobby Bowden was to Florida State, should always be allowed to go out on his own. The man wanted one more year. Just one more year!! The fact that Florida State did not give it to him is outright criminal! It would be one thing if he inherited a strong program and ran it into the ground. In that case, he would have only last four years maximum. No, he took a program that was about to fold up football indefinately and transformed it into a powerhouse that lasted through the 1980s and 1990s. Like I said at the top, it would be a sad day for you if the company that you rescued, built, and transformed into a powerhouse came to you 34 years later and gave you the options FSU gave Bowden.

I am not defending his record the last few years. I will admit FSU needed a change sooner rather than later, but it would not have killed them to have given Bobby Bowden one more year after he gave FSU 34 years of his.