Monday, January 10 Bowden closing on coaching record
ESPN.com news services
NEW ORLEANS -- Bobby Bowden expects the dynasty to continue
at Florida State.
"You can bet your life we'll be striving to get back," Bowden
said Wednesday upon receiving his second national championship
trophy in six years. "We'll have a good nucleus."
Tommy Polley suffered a knee injury in the Sugar Bowl, but is expected back.
Bowden has had the Seminoles in the middle of the national title
picture for 13 straight seasons and he expects to be there again
next season. During that span, the Seminoles have won 141 games and
are 88-9-1 since 1992, an average of 11 wins a year.
And with 304 career victories, Bowden is closing in on Bear
Bryant's total of 323 victories.
At 70, Bowden thinks he's a better coach than ever and he
doesn't plan to do anything else for several more years.
"I still get just as excited as when I coached in junior
college more than 40 years ago," he said. "And the paycheck ain't
bad."
But for now, Bowden has an immediate concern. Longtime assistant Chuck Amato is leaving for North Carolina State, his alma mater. Bowden depended greatly on his longtime assistants like Amato,
who has been with him for 18 years.
Quarterback Chris Weinke, who will return for his senior year, will benefit from what might be
Florida's State's most talented group of offensive linemen. Tackles
Tarlos Thomas and Brett Williams, who kept Virginia Tech's
defensive ends away from Weinke all game in the Sugar Bowl, are
both back.
"They did a great job," Bowden said. "You have to mention
them."
Virginia Tech's Corey Moore didn't get close to Weinke all game
while John Engelberger managed one sack.
Running backs Travis Minor and Jeff Chaney return along with top
prospect Nick Maddox. A bevy of talented underclassmen are waiting
their turn at wide receiver where Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans have
stood out.
"We've got another great player there, maybe more," receivers
coach Jeff Bowden said.
Tackles Corey Simon and Jerry Johnson will be off to the NFL,
but linebackers Brian Allen, Tommy Polley and Bradley Jennings will
be at the core of what should again be a very good defense. Ends
Jamal Reynolds, David Warren and Roland Seymour are all juniors.
All-American kicker Sebastian Janikowski will leave early for the NFL.
"Janikowski is a big loss," Bowden said. "He was about as
valuable a player as we had."
Chris Hope is back at safety, along with cornerbacks Tay Cody
and Clevan Thomas and punter Keith Cottrell.
And most importantly, Bowden comes back for his silver
anniversary at Florida State.
Harig: No quit in Bowden