Right Time, Right Place?

Bobby Bowden is widely considered to be one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. That is indisputably true, being he is the second winningest coach of all time. I am going to make the argument that Bobby Bowden deserves to go out on his terms not for building the FSU program, rather for his loyalty to the school. After examining some numbers, there seems to be some proof that Bobby Bowden isn't the only man who could have built the Florida State football powerhouse.

In 1977, FSU had its first winning season under Bobby Bowden.
Since that he was won 309 games and won 2 national titles. That is 9.65 wins per season.

In 1979, Miami hired Howard Schnellenberger and had their first winning season in 6 years. Since him they have had 5 other head coaches. In those 30 years Miami has won 287 games and won 5 national titles. That is 9.56 wins per season.

In 1980, Florida hired Charley Pell and had their then best ever season at 8-3. Since him they have had 4 other head coaches. In those 29 years Florida has won 268 games and won 3 national titles. That is 9.24 wins per season.

Is it coincidence that all these programs rose at the same time? Two would be a coincidence, three looks like a trend.

Florida State owes Bobby Bowden for his dedication to the school. While all of these Miami and Florida coaches left their schools to pursue greater opportunity, Bobby Bowden remained at Florida State. And that is why he should be allowed his farewell tour next season. But, here are a couple signs that he 1) hasn't made solid coaching decisions as of late and 2) the game has sadly passed him by...

Since Bobby hired Jeff Bowden in 2001 FSU has won 68 games at a clip of 8.37 games per season. Not bad for a college football program. But when you compare it to Miami, Florida, and even South Florida that's where the evidence lies that FSU is noticeably underachieving...

Since 2001, Florida has won 77 games at a clip of 9.63 games per season. They have won 2 national titles during that span. Miami has won 74 games at a clip of 9.25 games per season. They won 1 national title during that span. South Florida has won 65 games at a clip of 8.13 games per season (pretty close to FSU's 68). More concerning is in the last 4 years USF has won 31 games and FSU has won 25 games...including losing to them at home.

As an alumni of FSU I love Bobby Bowden. I recognize what the school owes him for his dedication to the university. However, Bobby Bowden is not an alumni of the school, he is an employee. And taking off my garnet and gold goggles, as a college football enthusiast, I have realized that he isn't "rare" in terms of coaching ability. The other two big Florida schools have made several head coaching moves during Bowden's tenure and have remained successful and won national titles. That is why the future is bright for Florida State football, but the future can not begin until the necessary changes are made.

This is the Bobby Bowden that is one of the greatest college football coaches of all time... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJxWtxsxwlQ

This is the Bobby Bowden that the game of college football has passed by... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIn17ufE7ZM&feature=related