My sorrow for Bobby Bowden

[Bucs90]

I gotta say, it truly hurts to watch Bobby Bowden go through this. He is one of my all-time favorite coaches. All know I'm a HUGE fan of Southern football. And no one symbolizes all that is great about Southern football better than Bobby Bowden.

His personality, morality, coaching style, recruiting style, his old confident grandpa swagger......he's everything that is great about Southern football. He could be coaching a little high school team in the country and he'd still be the same guy I think. If you ever read his book "The Bowden Way" it is a treat. His ideals and morals are just fantastic to read about. His explanation on why he gave troubled players a second chance is interesting.

My only hope is that when he retires he'll go into TV, because I could listen to him comment on football for hours. He reminds me of every great Southern high school coach I've ever known of, every grandfather in the stands telling his grandkid how to play like a man, and just everything that is great about Southern football.

There will never be another era when the 3 powers ruled like they did from the late 80's through the early 00's with FSU, Florida and Miami, and I'm gonna miss Bowden.

[ZOOMBAG]

I gotta say, it truly hurts to watch Bobby Bowden go through this. He is one of my all-time favorite coaches. All know I'm a HUGE fan of Southern football. And no one symbolizes all that is great about Southern football better than Bobby Bowden.

His personality, morality, coaching style, recruiting style, his old confident grandpa swagger......he's everything that is great about Southern football. He could be coaching a little high school team in the country and he'd still be the same guy I think. If you ever read his book "The Bowden Way" it is a treat. His ideals and morals are just fantastic to read about. His explanation on why he gave troubled players a second chance is interesting.

My only hope is that when he retires he'll go into TV, because I could listen to him comment on football for hours. He reminds me of every great Southern high school coach I've ever known of, every grandfather in the stands telling his grandkid how to play like a man, and just everything that is great about Southern football.

There will never be another era when the 3 powers ruled like they did from the late 80's through the early 00's with FSU, Florida and Miami, and I'm gonna miss Bowden.

Uhh....actually Nebraska was the dominant power during most of those years....

[INSIDE99]

All I can say...For those fans that hate certain coaches or players...never judge somebody unless you get to know them. The best advice I could ever give a child these days…never, ever, ever believe everything the media attempts to sell. And they do sell.

Bobby Bowden is without a doubt, one of the nicest, most helpful people I have ever spent time with. He has an open door policy with his players and I always took advantage of it. It was literally like walking into grandpa’s living room. It did not matter who you were or where you came from, he would listen and talk your ear off about anything you wanted. He literally kills with kindness every person he meets. I’m talking about Bobby the man here, not the coach, which weighs more in my book. I guarantee that if anyone here sat down with him for 20 minutes, you would see what a great human being he truly is. Many of the people that blast him have no idea.

I do believe however (as do many others), he has made some bad football decisions in terms of who his assistants are and who picks his recruits. Since his assistants are calling the shots totally on the field, that one equaled death. Trust me when I say…his latest scandal of online cheating that probably will take away 14 of his coaching wins…he had no clue. Which is pretty much how he is on the field. But when you are the head coach, it falls on your lap. I’m not sure if many people know exactly how little he actually does coach. And that is why it is time for him to finally retire. The staff he has in place put FSU into a tailspin of mediocrity and that same staff can’t pull them out.

Also of note, Coach Bowden has told me a couple of times that kids today are no different then they were 30 and 40 years ago. It’s just that when they get into trouble the police go to the news where back then they came to him first. The point is…the bad things college kids do today are no different than what has always been going on. How can you not believe someone who was there?

Which leads to my closing…I am so sick of where the information internet age has taken this country it almost forced me to give up this site a couple of years ago. Reality drama and police blogs are what this country desperately seeks...and it's all based on hate and the need to justify our own lives based on the troubles of others. It’s been a rough week, so excuse me while I turn on ESPN to see what Michael Vick is doing.

[Doc]

As much as I enjoy all the sports channels and the ability to watch countless games, whether it's football, basketball, baseball, hockey or whatever, the sports talk and sports news broadcasters have turned in to nothing but a platform to rip apart and micro-disect the athletes, destroy and defame reputations and talk smack with the bravado of a horny teenager.

No one is sacred. Tiger Woods wins 6 tournaments this year, finishes in the top 10 in 14 of 17 tournaments and because he didn't win a major all the 'experts' think he has problems - every golfer should have his problems. Lebron James, who wins the MVP and everyone has annointed as the face of the NBA doesn't shake hands after the NBA conference finals and he's a sore loser - given the environment he grew up in I think Lebron James is one of the most amazingly centered athletes out there but these one hour sportcenter programs need to talk about something so why not rip on Lebron for being human ad nauseum. I've grown tired of the announcers like Stuart Scott, Mike Greenberg, Chris Berman who think people tune in to watch their schtick - they tune in to get sports news. For years, broadcasters ripped Ohio State for not being able to beat Michigan - OSU has won 7 out of 8 against Michigan and you don't hear the announcers making the same comments about the Wolverines. No, they penalize this years team for games lost 2 or 3 years ago that none of the existing players had anything to do with. Problem is, most announcers think they are the show and they aren't - the teams are the show. Give me more guys like Gus Johnson who calls a great game, gets excited about what he's seeing and shares that excitement with the viewers - he's the best out there.

[Spice1]

Uhh....actually Nebraska was the dominant power during most of those years....

Sorry Zoombag...

Late 80's- early 2000's (I choose 1987-2003)

"Championships"-- Miami 4, Nebraska 3, FSU 2 UF 2

Ranked in top 5-- FSU 14 times, Miami 10 times, UF 4 times, Nebraska 4 times

Nebraska record against Miami 1-3
Nebraska record against FSU 0-4
Nebraska record againt UF 1-0

Nebraska was a force during that time but not at UM or FSU level....

[INSIDE99]

How many titles for Florida?

[GatorGrad]

Florida actually only had one MNC from 87-03....the next was 06 followed by 08. Since 1990, Florida is the winningest program in all of I-A, has the most SEC Championships (8) during that time, and has the most AP National Championships (3) during that time. Only SEC program to not have a losing season during that time as well. Outside of the three Zook years in 02-04 where we lost 5 games each year, it's been a good 20 years. :)

[Doc]

He took the Illini to the Rose Bowl a couple years ago but that was only because Ohio State snuck into the BCS championship game. Since then they've been mediocre at best and they've been horrible this year. Plus, his players have no self discipline. Juice Williams has not improved, he's actually gotten worse - he's been benched for their next game. Benns will most likely go pro at the end of this year so there goes his big play receiver. He better get things turned around or it could be the end for him at Illinois.

[GatorGrad]

Plus, his players have no self discipline.

That's the key right there. His players at UF had the same problem...no discipline on or off the field.

[Spice1]

OOpps, typo...1 title for UF.

Number of times on probation; Miami 1, FSU 1, Nebraska 1.

[Hero1957]

I don't want to see Bobby go down like this is heading at FSU. Bobby built FSU from nothing. When he arrived at FSU, they were the worst team in the nation, or darn near. He built them into a champion. He is a great coach, and deserves to go out with his head held high.

[ZOOMBAG]

Sorry Zoombag...

Late 80's- early 2000's (I choose 1987-2003)

"Championships"-- Miami 4, Nebraska 3, FSU 2 UF 2

Ranked in top 5-- FSU 14 times, Miami 10 times, UF 4 times, Nebraska 4 times

Nebraska record against Miami 1-3
Nebraska record against FSU 0-4
Nebraska record againt UF 1-0

Nebraska was a force during that time but not at UM or FSU level....

Nebraska's run from the 1993-1998 seasons was unequaled. The 1995 team was the greatest team of all time, no game closer than 14 points, beat FOUR final top ten teams by an average over 38 points per game. The other two MNC years were only a shade less impressive. Should have beaten FSU in 1993 but for two HORRIBLE calls at game's end. Fluke Texas win in 1996 kept them from playing for a four-peat, still pummeled Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl that year. The beat-down of Florida in that Fiesta Bowl was historic, "Fun and Gun was One and Done".

NU was the "team of the 90's"

[Blue Hen]

Well, this thread seems to be a tribute to Bobby Bowden and I absolutely agree with everybody that he has been and is a folk hero type grand fellow a wonderful family man, community man and a father- like figure to his players ( although the faster they run 40 yards the more fatherly he seems to be sometimes ...imo)
Anyway, I'm going to refrain from commenting on Bobby Bowden's great coaching career success and the relationship to the dumbth factor...but it's there...big time !

[Spice1]

Fluke Texas win in 1996 kept them from playing for a four-peat, still pummeled Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl that year.
NU was the "team of the 90's"

In 1996, Fluke Texas win AND 19-0 shutout at Arizona State earlier in the season....
In 1993 if Kansas kicks extra point instead of failed attempt at 2, would Nebraska have even played Florida State (bad calls aside)for a title?

That was a great run that they had 93-96 but not as dominant as the Canes and FSU sustained excellence during the longer time frame referred to in the original post. 1995 team was certainly one of the best ever.

[Lincoln Tower]

Uhh....actually Nebraska was the dominant power during most of those years....

Thanks ZOOM. I thought this thread was going to be a tribute about one of the coaching legends of D1A football. Instead, it became about Nebraska. WAY TO SET US STRAIGHT!!!!!

[Bucs90]

Sorry Zoombag...

Late 80's- early 2000's (I choose 1987-2003)

"Championships"-- Miami 4, Nebraska 3, FSU 2 UF 2

Ranked in top 5-- FSU 14 times, Miami 10 times, UF 4 times, Nebraska 4 times

Nebraska record against Miami 1-3
Nebraska record against FSU 0-4
Nebraska record againt UF 1-0

Nebraska was a force during that time but not at UM or FSU level....

Well put. Nebraska was quite a force. But during that 20 year or so stretch, the Sunshine State had no equal. What Miami began to do with defensive philosophy and how it spread from the U, into Florida and throughout the South and beyond changed the game of football.

[Bucs90]

Nebraska's run from the 1993-1998 seasons was unequaled. The 1995 team was the greatest team of all time, no game closer than 14 points, beat FOUR final top ten teams by an average over 38 points per game. The other two MNC years were only a shade less impressive. Should have beaten FSU in 1993 but for two HORRIBLE calls at game's end. Fluke Texas win in 1996 kept them from playing for a four-peat, still pummeled Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl that year. The beat-down of Florida in that Fiesta Bowl was historic, "Fun and Gun was One and Done".

NU was the "team of the 90's"

Team of the 90's? Gotta disagree. Extend your time frame 1 year to 1999.

FSU won 2 NC's
Nebraska 3 (1 contraversial in 97, but they got it still)
FSU was top 5 for how many straight years through the 90's?

NU from 94-96 was definitely the top team. But the decade of the 90's as a whole? Don't think anyone can touch the Seminoles in that top 5 streak.

[Bucs90]

Well, this thread seems to be a tribute to Bobby Bowden and I absolutely agree with everybody that he has been and is a folk hero type grand fellow a wonderful family man, community man and a father- like figure to his players ( although the faster they run 40 yards the more fatherly he seems to be sometimes ...imo)
Anyway, I'm going to refrain from commenting on Bobby Bowden's great coaching career success and the relationship to the dumbth factor...but it's there...big time !

Hen, that quote about the faster they run the 40, the more fatherly he was? Thats part of what makes him such an iconic Southern football coach. For better or worse, that reflects so many high school and college coaches, especially in the older South (80's 90's). As he would say, "Dad gummit that kid can move, we gotta give his momma a visit".

[ZOOMBAG]

Team of the 90's? Gotta disagree. Extend your time frame 1 year to 1999.

FSU won 2 NC's
Nebraska 3 (1 contraversial in 97, but they got it still)
FSU was top 5 for how many straight years through the 90's?

NU from 94-96 was definitely the top team. But the decade of the 90's as a whole? Don't think anyone can touch the Seminoles in that top 5 streak.

For most of a 20 year run there were three teams that seemed to be there EVERY YEAR in the hunt for the MNC, Miami, Florida St. and Nebraska. A few came and went, but those three were a constant.

[Bucs90]

For most of a 20 year run there were three teams that seemed to be there EVERY YEAR in the hunt for the MNC, Miami, Florida St. and Nebraska. A few came and went, but those three were a constant.

Hell yes they were. From 1980-2000 it seemed like it was a given that one of those 3 teams would contend for it. Notre Dame was always in the talk also, but nothing like those 3 programs were.

I do miss the old Nebraska quite a bit and will always say that Paul Johnson and Nebraska would've been a match made in heaven. Nebraska is meant to run the ball down people's throats. They did it better than anyone in the 90's and it was fun to watch. Tommie Frazier was just a man amongst boys at NU.