Bobby Bowden, the folksy Hall of Fame coach who won more than 350 games and built Florida State into one of college football’s great dynasties with two national championships has died. He was 91.
Bobby’s son, Terry, confirmed to The Associated Press that his father died at home surrounded by his family early Sunday morning. Florida State also announced the news on social media.
Bowden announced on July 21 he had a terminal illness that his family later said was pancreatic cancer. He had been treated for prostate cancer more than a decade ago.
“I’ve always tried to serve God’s purpose for my life, on and off the field, and I am prepared for what is to come,” Bowden said in a statement shared with the Tallahassee Democrat at the time. “My wife Ann and our family have been life’s greatest blessing.”
“I am at peace.”
He’d say, “Shucks,” and “Dad-gum” and talk of his relationship with God in a manner some thought was a phony act. But it was noacting job,
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With charm and wit, Bowden piled up 357 wins during his 40 years as a major college coach, from tiny Samford — his alma mater, then known as Howard College — to West Virginia and finally at Florida State, where he went 315-98-4. The Seminoles were a force during his 34 seasons as coach, winning 12 Atlantic Coast Conference championships and national titles in 1993 and 1999.
Bowden spent 34 seasons at Florida State, compiling a 315-98-4 record during his time with the Seminoles. He led the program to 12 ACC championships and two national championships (1993, 1999) during his time at Tallahassee.
Bowden retired following the 2009 season with a Gator Bowl win over West Virginia in Florida State’s 28th straight postseason appearance, a victory that gave him his 33rd consecutive winning season.
His 377 career wins are fourth all-time in college football history behind John Gagliardi (489), Joe Paterno (409) and Eddie Robinson (408). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
He won as much as anyone, but also taught people how to lose, joking after one of his crushing Wide-Right field-goal losses to the University of Miami that he knew what his tombstone would read.
“It’ll say, ‘But he played Miami,'” he said.
He also taught everyone how to believe in youth even as he aged, dismissing players at Florida State for one reason: Lying to him. All else could be handled.
“Why does everyone want to run off a 19- or 20-year-old kid rather than trying to help him?” Bowden said. “Do you think they should be anywhere else than here at this age?”
He taught people how to love a good life, too. He was passionate. He took chances. He dreamed big. He put Florida State on the map.
Orlando Sentinel staff writer contributed to this report.