Report: Bowden Considering Coaching Elsewhere in 2010

NFL News - October 24th, 2009 - Written by John

Bobby Bowden has maintained his belief that he will retire from football on his own terms. And reports are surfacing that he may do it with or without Florida State.

Seminole insider website Warchant.com, a Rivals affiliate, suggested Friday that the 79-year old head coach is losing favor with the school's decision makers and is considering signing with the University of Alabama at Birmingham if he is forced out at FSU. The site doesn't name the source of the information, but notes that it is a very reputable one, saying that the school is currently working on a buyout package worth around $4.5 million if Bowden retires at the end of the year.

"Even though it's still in the very early stages, we've heard there is some talk going on behind the scenes between the Bowden camp and a school in his hometown, the University of Alabama at Birmingham," the site's founder Gene Williams wrote in a blog. "At first I figured this was a crazy rumor, but it came from a good source, and we've heard it may have some legs."

The source also said that the school has finalized a contract with head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher to take over the managerial duties as early as January 2010, which makes Bowden leaving even more possible. In his 34th and final season, he would be a mere figurehead to the team and it's likely he wouldn't accept that role.

The deal is believed to afford Fisher with complete control over the coaching staff, Bowden has lobbied against. Reports over the last month have indicated that after the retirement of defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, Bowden would prefer for linebackers coach Chuck Amato to take over the unit.

Fisher would likely not allow that to happen if he is given the reigns and that has reportedly caused some friction in the transition process.

It would make some bit of sense for Bowden to consider moving to UAB if he feels like he still wants to coach. He is from Birmingham and the school maintains close ties with the family. Three years ago they even attempted to lure Tommy Bowden from Clemson until he reneged and the school ultimately signed Neil Callaway. The team is 8-22 under Callaway and it's not improbable that the team would like to make a switch anyway.

Florida State is 3-4 so far this season in it's worst start since joining the ACC. They will have to win four of their final five games to become bowl eligible. Three of those five games will be on the road, including a season-finale showdown against Florida in late November that may be his final curtain at FSU.

Although is has been some time since we have seen the Seminoles ranked high in the NCAA College Football Standings, Bowden has made the football program what it is today and many people will be sad to see him go

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