RECAP OF BOBBY'S RECORD SETTING GAME

ARCHIVE OF BOWDEN'S BEST WINS

Please reload this page upon entering to assure you are viewing the most up to date information possible.

Or enter your email address below to be notified everytime this page is updated or changed.

Monitor page
for changes

it's private

by ChangeDetection

BIOGRAPHY ON COACH BOBBY BOWDEN

By now it's been well-chronicled how the Birmingham native left the snow and ice of West Virginia to come to Florida State and save their floundering football program. But he not only saved the program, he has taken it to the very pinacle of Division 1-A football in the nation. He has the most wins in 1-A college football.
When Bobby Bowden arrived in 1976, the Florida State University football program was loosing $700,000 dollars annually. In West Virginia they shouted "BEAT PITT". In Tallahassee there were bumper stickers that read "BEAT ANYBODY". The university was actually considering scrapping the program altogether. But they decided to hire a new coach instead. A decision now they are glad they made, I'm sure.
Bobby Bowden has become so synonamise with the Seminole program he is as much a part of it as Chief Osceola, Renegade, and the War Chant. And it just wouldn't be the same without him there on the sidelines guiding our team. He is a man both gracious in victory as will as defeat. A man with rock solid character and firm coaching principles. He has become somewhat of a folk hero down South. Lovingly refered to as "Saint Bobby".
He was an outstanding football player a Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Who went on to become a quarterback at the University of Alabama in his freshman year. Fulfilling a childhood dream. Then he transfered to Howard University (now Samford University), and was their quarterback for his sophomore through senior years. While in college he met Julia Ann Estock, a cheerleader at the time, and they soon married.
His first head coaching job was with Samford in 1959, where he went 9-1. He stayed at Samford through 1962. His record with Samford was 31-6. His next head coaching position was with West Virginia in 1970-1975, where he went to the Peach Bowl twice, and had a record of 42-26. He then joined Florida State and has a current record of 286-75 with 4 ties. His overall record to date as a head coach is 359-107-4. And has been to every major bowl except the Rose Bowl. Some 2,3,4, and even 5 times. And now that the Rose Bowl has joined the B.C.S. you can almost certinly bet he'll be there someday.
Bobby was born on November 8, 1929. And in 1943 at 13 years old, Robert Cleckler Bowden was bed riden for six months with rheumatic fever, and confined to the hospital for 18 more months, with a full year of recuperation at home following the hospital stay. Where he listened to the radio and got play by play reports on World War 2. He followed the war everyday from his bed learning stratagies that he uses today as a coach. A true General of the X's and O's of football. Winning two National Championships with Florida State.
Bobby has signed a new contract that will take him through the 2007 season with the Seminoles. Where he should retire with enough games to stay college football's greatest coach of all time, for a very long time. GOD WILLING!!!

And now thanks to the Florida Senate, the football field at Campbell Stadium is named Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium. The name change took effect before the Florida game in 2004.

Click below to ask coach Bowden your question:

ASK COACH BOWDEN

Click below for various links about Bobby:

BOWDEN ON HIS RETIREMENT

BOBBY'S BIRMINGHAM

NEW NATIONAL AWARD NAMED FOR BOBBY BOWDEN

BOBBY BOWDEN'S 30 YEAR TOUR

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE BOWDENS

THREE DECADES WITH BOBBY BOWDEN

CONGRATULATIONS ON 31 YEARS WITH FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SEMINOLE FOOTBALL!
Thanks for all the great memories, and especially thanks for staying with the Seminole program. We know there were probably a million other places you could have gone to, but we're so glad you stayed. WE LOVE YOU COACH!

CLICK ON 300 WINS TO VIEW A TIME CAPSULE OF EACH MAJOR WIN AND EVENT IN BOBBY'S HISTORICAL CAREER

300 WINS (Bobby's record)

LIST OF THE GREATEST 1-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES IN HISTORY

1. BOBBY BOWDEN 359 WINS (ACTIVE)

2. JOE PATERNO 354 WINS (ACTIVE)

3. PAUL "BEAR" BRYANT 323 WINS (INACIVE)

As of this writing Bobby Bowden has passed Joe Paterno to become the winingest (active) coach of all time. Bobby and Joe will likely battle back and forth for the record until one retires.
Coach Bowden should keep the lead but you never know.
Coach Paterno is under contract till 2008 and Bobby's contract is through the 2007 season. And it should be a neck and neck race till then.
But baring a record turn around by Penn State and a complete desinagration by Florida State, Bobby should have the upper hand and be the odds on favorite to end his career as COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S GREATEST COACH OF ALL-TIME!
And there is no coach more derservent of the title.

GOOD LUCK AND WE ALL WILL BE PULLING FOR YOU!