View source for Bobby Bowden

{{Short description|American football player and coach (1929–2021)}}
{{for|the Australian rules footballer|Bob Bowden}}
{{Use American English|date = September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Bobby Bowden
| image = Bobby Bowden 2007.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Bowden in 2007
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1929|11|8}}
| birth_place = [[Birmingham, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|8|8|1929|11|8}}
| death_place = [[Tallahassee, Florida]], U.S.
| alma_mater = 
| player_sport1 = Football
| player_years2 = 1948
| player_team2 = [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]]
| player_years3 = 1949–1952
| player_team3 = [[Samford Bulldogs football|Howard (AL)]]
| player_sport4 = Baseball
| player_years5 = 1952
| player_team5 = [[Samford Bulldogs baseball|Howard (AL)]]
| player_sport6 = Track and field
| player_years7 = 1951
| player_team7 = [[Samford Bulldogs track and field|Howard (AL)]]
| player_positions = [[Quarterback]] (football)<br>[[Right fielder]] (baseball)
| coach_sport1 = Football
| coach_years2 = 1953–1954
| coach_team2 = [[Samford Bulldogs football|Howard (AL)]] (backfield)
| coach_years3 = 1955–1958
| coach_team3 = [[South Georgia Tigers football|South Georgia]]
| coach_years4 = 1959–1962
| coach_team4 = Howard (AL)
| coach_years5 = 1963–1965
| coach_team5 = [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] (WR)
| coach_years6 = 1966–1969
| coach_team6 = [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia]] (OC)
| coach_years7 = 1970–1975
| coach_team7 = West Virginia
| coach_years8 = 1976–2009
| coach_team8 = Florida State
| coach_sport9 = Baseball
| coach_years10 = 1956–1959
| coach_team10 = [[South Georgia State Hawks baseball|South Georgia]]
| coach_sport11 = Track and field
| coach_years12 = 1953–1955
| coach_team12 = [[Samford Bulldogs track and field|Howard (AL)]]
| overall_record = 377–129–4 (college football){{efn|12 wins vacated; Bowden has a total of 411 wins as head coach. His 22 wins from South Georgia State College are also not counted by the NCAA.}}
| bowl_record = 21–10–1 (college){{efn|1 bowl win vacated.}}
| tournament_record = 
| championships = Football<br>2 [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National]] (1993, 1999)<br>12 [[List of Atlantic Coast Conference football champions|ACC]] (1992–2000, 2002–2003, 2005)<br>2 ACC Atlantic Division (2005, 2008)
| awards = Football<br>[[Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award|Bobby Dodd COY]] (1980)<br />[[Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award]] (1991)<br>[[Amos Alonzo Stagg Award]] (2011)
| coaching_records = 
| CFBHOF_year = 2006
| CFBHOF_id = 2189
}}

'''Robert Cleckler Bowden''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|aʊ|d|ə|n}}; November 8, 1929 – August 8, 2021) was an American [[college football]] coach. Bowden coached the [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]] of [[Florida State University]] (FSU) from 1976 to 2009 and is considered one of the greatest college football coaches of all time for his accomplishments with the team.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/college/2019/08/12/best-coaches-college-football-history-rankings |title=The Greatest Coaches in College Football History |last=Litman |first=Laken |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=August 12, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220045802/https://www.si.com/college/2019/08/12/best-coaches-college-football-history-rankings |archive-date=December 20, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/CFB150coaches/the-150-greatest-coaches-college-football-150-year-history |title=The 150 greatest coaches in college football's 150-year history |work=ESPN |date=December 10, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210163541/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/CFB150coaches/the-150-greatest-coaches-college-football-150-year-history |archive-date=December 10, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/890705-college-football-the-top-50-coaches-of-all-time |title=College Football: The Top 50 Coaches Of All Time |work=Bleacher Report |last=Vasta |first=Dan |date=October 13, 2011 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015234556/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/890705-college-football-the-top-50-coaches-of-all-time |archive-date=October 15, 2011 }}</ref>

During his time at Florida State, Bowden led FSU to consensus national championships in [[1993 Florida State Seminoles football team|1993]] and [[1999 Florida State Seminoles football team|1999]], as well as twelve [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] [[List of Atlantic Coast Conference football champions|championships]] once FSU joined the conference in 1991. Bowden's Seminoles finished as an [[AP Poll#College football|AP top-5]] team for 14 consecutive seasons, setting a record which doubled the closest program. However, the program weakened during the mid-2000s, and after a difficult 2009 season Bowden was forced to retire just weeks after his 80th birthday. He made his final coaching appearance in the [[2010 Gator Bowl]] game on January 1, 2010, with a 33–21 victory over his former program, [[2009 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]].

Bowden spent the last part of his career in a race with his close friend, [[Joe Paterno]], to become the winningest [[NCAA Division I]] college football coach of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/136854-the-amazing-race |title=Bobby Bowden-Joe Paterno: The Amazing Race? |last=Mcguire |first=Kevin |work=Bleacher Report |date=March 10, 2009 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314011347/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/136854-the-amazing-race |archive-date=March 14, 2009 }}</ref> The coaches overtook each other throughout the 2000s, sitting just a game apart before the 2008 college football season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=3958532 |title=FSU penalties to impact wins race |work=ESPN |last=Maisel |first=Ivan |date=March 6, 2009 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128115023/https://www.espn.com/college-football/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=3958532 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 }}</ref> However, on March 6, 2009, an NCAA ruling required Florida State to "vacate wins for any games in which an ineligible player participated", threatening to remove as many as fourteen of Bowden's wins from the 2006 and 2007 seasons in relation to [[Florida State University academic-athletic scandal|an academic scandal]]. Florida State appealed the ruling,<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2007/2007_d1_football_records_book.pdf |title=Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book |publisher=The National Collegiate Athletic Association |location=Indianapolis, Indiana |date=2007 |issn=0735-5475 |access-date=January 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201142013/http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2007/2007_d1_football_records_book.pdf |archive-date=December 1, 2007| page=378}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seminoles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bowden_bobby01.html|title=Bobby Bowden profile|publisher=seminoles.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703111234/http://seminoles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bowden_bobby01.html|archive-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4320845|title=Florida State Seminoles players sorry scandal could cost Bobby Bowden|date=July 11, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> but the NCAA upheld it on January 5, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4797662|title=Florida State Seminoles penalty upheld; Bowden faces losing 14 wins|date=January 5, 2010 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Upon final investigation by FSU, it was determined that Bowden was to vacate 12 wins,<ref name="jacksonville.com">{{cite web|url=http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/florida_state_seminoles/2010-01-06/story/bobby_bowden_wins_last_game_but_cant_beat_nc|title=Bobby Bowden wins last game, but can't beat NCAA|work=jacksonville.com}}</ref> bringing his final career record to 377–129–4, second to Paterno's final tally of 409 wins.

==Early life and education==
Bowden was born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], the son of Bob Bowden and Sunset ({{née|Cleckler}}) Bowden.<ref name="SchlabachObit" /> When he was 13 years old, Bowden was diagnosed with [[rheumatic fever]], which led to a six-month hospital stay. After his discharge, Bowden was confined to his bed at home for just over a year. While ill, Bowden passed the time by listening to [[World War II]] news reports on the radio, which sparked his interest in World War II, which endured for the rest of his lifetime.<ref name="SchlabachObit" /> Also around this time, he began to follow [[college football]]; he listened to [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|University of Alabama football]] on Saturday mornings.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom D'Angelo @tomdangelo44 |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20200402/coronavirus-florida-bobby-bowden-lived-through-world-war-ii-rheumatic-fever-but-never-has-seen-anything-like-this-lsquoirsquom-really-concerned-hellip-thatrsquos-why-irsquom-staying-homersquo |title=Coronavirus Florida: Bobby Bowden lived through World War II, rheumatic fever but never has seen anything like this: 'I'm really concerned … That's why I'm staying home' – Sports – The Palm Beach Post – West Palm Beach, FL |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date= |accessdate=August 8, 2021}}</ref>

Bowden was an outstanding football player at [[Woodlawn High School (Birmingham, Alabama)|Woodlawn High School]] in Birmingham, and accepted a scholarship to play for the [[University of Alabama]] as a [[quarterback]].<ref name="SchlabachObit" /> He then returned to Birmingham after only one semester and eloped with his high school sweetheart, Ann Estock, on April 1, 1949.<ref name="SchlabachObit" /> 

Bowden then transferred to Howard College, now known as [[Samford University]], where he played football, baseball, ran track, and became a brother in [[Pi Kappa Alpha]]. In his junior year, he was elected president of Pi Kappa Alpha. In his senior year, he was re-elected as Pi Kappa Alpha president and became captain of the Samford football team, where he garnered "Little All-America" honors as quarterback.<ref name="SchlabachObit" /> The Howard College faculty nominated him for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges in recognition of his academic and athletic leadership. Bowden graduated from Howard in 1953.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rousos |first=Rick |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20091201/News/608115833 |title=Bowden: From the Sick Bed to the End Zone – News – The Ledger – Lakeland, FL |publisher=The Ledger |date= |accessdate=August 8, 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31986159/remembering-one-kind-life-career-florida-state-legend-bobby-bowden|title='A Hall of Fame legacy:' Remembering the one-of-a-kind life and career of Bobby Bowden|date=August 8, 2021|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

==Early coaching career==
Bowden graduated from Howard in 1953, and began his coaching career at his alma mater, that fall as an assistant football coach in charge of the backfield under [[Earl Gartman]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Weathers |first=Ronald |title=Bowden returns as Howard aid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news/179173942/ |newspaper=[[The Birmingham News]] |location=[[Birmingham, Alabama]] |date=August 16, 1953 |page=C5 |access-date=August 18, 2025 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}} }}</ref> He left Howard in 1955 to become athletic director as well as head football, baseball, and [[basketball]] coach at [[South Georgia State College|South Georgia College]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=30 Expected As Bulldogs Open Drills |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald/179176197/ |newspaper=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |location=[[Birmingham, Alabama]] |date=September 1, 1955 |page=13 |access-date=August 18, 2025 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Preston |first1=Robert |url=https://douglasnow.com/index.php/community/item/1382-bobby-bowden-visits-douglas-south-georgia-state-college-for-annual-reunion |title=Bobby Bowden visits Douglas, South Georgia State College for annual reunion |publisher=Douglasnow.com |date= June 7, 2015|accessdate=August 8, 2021}}</ref> After a losing basketball season, Bowden fired himself as head coach. His baseball teams at South Georgia won three consecutive state titles.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weathers |first=Ronald |title=Bobby Bowden coming back to guide Howard football |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news/179177232/ |newspaper=[[The Birmingham News]] |location=[[Birmingham, Alabama]] |date=May 10, 1959 |page=C3 |access-date=August 18, 2025 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}} }}</ref> Bowden then returned to [[Samford Bulldogs football|Howard]] as head coach, where he compiled a 31–6 record between 1959 and 1962.<ref name="SchlabachObit" /> In 1962, Bowden went to [[Florida State University]] as an assistant coach under head coach [[Bill Peterson]]. Bowden left Florida State in 1965 to go to [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia University]] (WVU) as an assistant under [[Jim Carlen]]. When Carlen left following the 1969 season to become head coach at [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]], Bowden replaced him. Bowden then compiled a 42–26 record at WVU before returning to FSU as head coach in 1976.<ref>{{cite web |author=Garry Smits |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20091231/SPORTS/801221945 |title=Early years: Bowden made the right call as offensive coordinator – Sports – The Florida Times-Union – Jacksonville, FL |publisher=Jacksonville.com |date= |accessdate=August 8, 2021 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808162859/https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20091231/SPORTS/801221945 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During Bowden's first year as head coach at WVU, the [[Marshall Thundering Herd football|football team]] of the state's other top-division school, [[Marshall University]], was killed in a [[Southern Airways Flight 932|plane crash]]. He asked NCAA permission to wear Marshall jerseys and play [[1970 Marshall Thundering Herd football team|Marshall's final game]] of the 1970 season against [[Ohio Bobcats football|Ohio]], but was denied. In memory of the victims of the crash, Mountaineers players put green crosses and the initials "MU" on their helmets. Bowden allowed Marshall's new head coach [[Jack Lengyel]] and his assistants access to game film and playbooks to acquaint themselves with the [[Veer|veer offense]], a variation of the [[option offense]] which aids teams with weak offensive lines. Lengyel credits Bowden with helping the young Thundering Herd recover. Bowden reportedly became emotional while viewing the movie ''[[We Are Marshall]]'', and has said that he was the original candidate for the Marshall head coaching job filled by crash victim [[Rick Tolley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/121906/spf_6895455.shtml|title=Movie opens old wounds for Bowden – Jacksonville.com|author=The Times-Union}}</ref>

==Florida State==
[[File:Bowden comments on his first season as head coach of Florida State University's football program.ogv|thumb|Bowden comments on his second season as head coach of [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]]'s football program in 1977]]
[[Image:Bobby Bowden-FSU 2006.jpg|thumb|Bowden on the sidelines of the November 4, 2006, game against [[Virginia Cavaliers football|Virginia]]]]
Bowden made the move to become the head coach of [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]] in 1976, the university where, from 1962 to 1964, he had chosen to coach wide receivers because the climate was warmer in [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]] than in [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/longtime-florida-state-football-coach-bobby-bowden-dies/story?id=79349481 |title=Longtime Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden dies at 91 |work=ABC News |date=August 8, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808183558/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/longtime-florida-state-football-coach-bobby-bowden-dies/story?id=79349481 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 }}</ref> and because Tallahassee was closer to [[Birmingham, Alabama]], where his mother and mother-in-law both lived. The team had a 4–29 record over the previous three seasons and he planned to stay only briefly before taking a better job, perhaps as head coach at Alabama.{{r|bowden20100831}}

As coach, Bowden was successful very quickly at Florida State. By his second year, Bowden faced rumors he would leave for another job; the team went 9–2, compared to the four wins total in the three seasons before Bowden. He said he would be content to finish his career at Florida State, however, and reportedly told another athletic-department employee he would "never coach anywhere north of Tallahassee".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TW9IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1869%2C4271463 |title=Report: VPI wooing Bowden |date=December 13, 1977 |work=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=February 13, 2019 |agency=Compiled from AP, UPI wires |page=1C |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> During 34 years as head coach he had only one losing season–his first, in 1976–and declined head coaching job offers from Alabama, [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]], [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]], and the [[National Football League]]'s [[Atlanta Falcons]]. From 1987 to 2000, the Seminoles finished every season with at least 10 wins and in the top 5 of the Associated Press College Football Poll, and won the [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national championship]] in 1993 and 1999.<ref name="bowden20100831">{{cite web |last=Bowden |first=Bobby |url=http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/31/a-tenure-longer-than-expected-and-shorter-than-desired/ |title=A Tenure Longer Than Expected and Shorter Than Desired |work=The New York Times |date=August 31, 2010}}</ref> The team was particularly dominant after joining the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) in 1992, winning or sharing nine consecutive conference titles from 1992 to 2000, and only losing two conference games in that stretch.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/12/02/02bobby-bowdens-career-milestones#gid=ci0255c88e00022515&pid=jan-1-1994 |title=Bobby Bowden's Career Milestones |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 2, 2009 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref> They were ranked in the AP Poll for all but three weeks from 1987 to 2005. This included 211 consecutive weeks from 1989 to 2001, the second-longest streak in college football history at the time.

Bowden's tenure crested with a third consecutive appearance in the national championship game after the 2000 season, a loss to [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma]] in the [[2001 Orange Bowl]]. They opened the following season with an [[Upset (sports)|upset]] 41–9 loss to [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]], only the third loss they had ever suffered in ACC play. They finished 8–4, the first time they had lost that many games in 15 years.<ref>{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Rosenblatt |url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Florida-State-Set-to-Gain-Bowl-Spot-8907986.php |title=Florida State Set to Gain Bowl Spot |publisher=Myplainview.com |date=November 13, 2002 |access-date=August 9, 2021 |archive-date=August 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809031017/https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Florida-State-Set-to-Gain-Bowl-Spot-8907986.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also marked the first time since joining the ACC where they did not win at least a share of the ACC title; indeed, their two losses in ACC play were as many as they had suffered in their first nine years in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2001-11-18-0111180293-story.html |title=Hill drives Terps to ACC title|work=Baltimore Sun |date=November 18, 2001 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref> From then on, Bowden notched one more appearance in the top 10 of a final media poll, in 2003–which was also the last time he won 10 games in a season.

In 2006, Florida State finished 7-6, its worst record since Bowden's first season. The Seminoles also suffered their first losing record in ACC play since joining the league. Following that season, [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] offensive coordinator [[Jimbo Fisher]] was hired to take the same post in Tallahassee. Following another 7-6 season in 2007, Fisher was designated as Bowden's successor, and was slated to take over the program no later than 2011. The Seminoles rebounded to 9-4 in 2008, but after barely qualifying for a bowl in 2009, Bowden was forced to announce his retirement effective at the end of the season.

===The Bowden Bowl===
Since both Florida State and Clemson are in the same division of the ACC for football, the two teams played each other every year from 1999 through 2007 in a game that became known as the "Bowden Bowl". Their 1999 meeting was the first time in Division I-A history that a father and a son met as opposing head coaches in a football game. Bobby held the edge in the series 5–4, with all four losses within the last five games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.staugustine.com/article/20091105/SPORTS/311059948 |title=No more Bowden Bowl helps ease family tension |work=The St. Augustine Record |date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=August 9, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809014738/https://www.staugustine.com/article/20091105/SPORTS/311059948 |archive-date=August 9, 2021 }}</ref>

One Bowden Bowl was scheduled between [[1999 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] and [[1999 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]] for 1999 when [[Terry Bowden]] was the coach at Auburn. However, Terry's midseason resignation in 1998 ended the possibility of a Bowden Bowl. Another Bowden Bowl was scheduled between Clemson and Florida State in 2008, but Tommy Bowden's resignation halfway through the year ended the Bowden Bowls.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article12241004.html |title=Bowden Bowl gone, but Clemson-FSU game's still big |work=The Herald |last=Kallsted |first=Brent |agency=Associated Press |date=November 8, 2008 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809025821/https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article12241004.html |archive-date=August 9, 2021 }}</ref>
[[File:FSU head football coach Bobby Bowden and sons- Tallahassee, Florida (7255276714).jpg|thumb|Bowden (kneeling) with sons [[Tommy Bowden|Tommy]], [[Jeff Bowden|Jeff]] and [[Terry Bowden|Terry]]. ]]

==Personal life==
Bowden married Ann Estock, his childhood sweetheart, in 1949 and the couple raised six children and 21 grandchildren.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2019/04/06/former-florida-state-coach-bobby-bowden-and-wife-ann-married-70-years/3385884002/ |title=FSU's Bobby and Ann Bowden celebrate 70 years of marriage |work=Tallahassee Democrat |last=Henry |first=Jim |date=April 6, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407163602/https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2019/04/06/former-florida-state-coach-bobby-bowden-and-wife-ann-married-70-years/3385884002/ |archive-date=April 7, 2019 }}</ref> Bowden was a [[Christians|Christian]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/Bobby_Bowden.aspx|title=The 700 Club – Bobby Bowden: A Legacy of Coaching Champions for Christ|website=www.cbn.com}}</ref> who credited his success in football to his faith.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/68570/20161205/legendary-florida-state-coach-bobby-bowden-on-family-faith-and-the-key-to-success-interview.htm|title=Legendary Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden on Family, Faith, and The Key to Success (Interview)|last=Herald|first=The Gospel|date=December 5, 2016|newspaper=Christian News, The Gospel Herald|access-date=December 6, 2016}}</ref> 

Bowden was not the only member of his family to have coached Division I-A football. His son [[Tommy Bowden]] was the head coach at [[Clemson University]]. Another son, [[Terry Bowden]], was the head coach at [[Auburn University]], where he was the 1993 Coach of the Year. A third son, [[Jeff Bowden]], was the offensive coordinator at Florida State. All three Bowden men who were head coaches have achieved an undefeated season: Terry in 1993 at Auburn; Tommy in 1998 at Tulane; and Bobby in 1999 at Florida State. Bobby's 1993 and 1999 Florida State teams were the only ones to win a national championship, however.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-03-9901030065-story.html|title=BOWDEN: THE DADDY OF 'EM ALL|first=Andrew Bagnato, Tribune College Football|last=Writer|website=chicagotribune.com|date=January 3, 1999 }}</ref>

Bowden twice endorsed and supported U.S. President [[Donald Trump]], in both the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]] and [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]] presidential elections.<ref>{{Cite web|title=After recovering from COVID-19, FSU coach Bobby Bowden endorses Donald Trump|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/after-recovering-from-covid-19-legendary-fsu-coach-bobby-bowden-endorses-donald-trump-for-reelection-144956286.html|access-date=2021-08-11|website=www.yahoo.com|date=October 22, 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Bowden's first cousin once removed is journalist and author [[Mark Bowden]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dargan |first1=Michele |title=Bowden: 1958 Colts-Giants championship an NFL game changer |url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/article/20120401/ENTERTAINMENT/304019862 |access-date=September 16, 2019 |work=[[Palm Beach Daily News]] |date=April 1, 2012 |location=Palm Beach, FL |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803231320/https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/article/20120401/ENTERTAINMENT/304019862 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Illness and death==
Bowden was diagnosed with [[COVID-19]] in October 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobby Bowden, Florida State Seminoles great, back in hospital due to COVID-19 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30057158/bobby-bowden-florida-state-seminoles-great-back-hospital-due-covid-19 |access-date=October 22, 2020 |work=[[ESPN]] |agency=Associated Press |date=October 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=Jim |title=FSU legendary coach Bobby Bowden tests positive for COVID-19, watching out for symptoms |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2020/10/05/fsu-legendary-coach-bobby-bowden-tests-positive-covid-19/3623199001/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat | access-date=October 22, 2020 |date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> 

The following year, on July 21, 2021, it was reported that Bowden was diagnosed with a terminal medical condition. On July 23, his son reported that the condition was [[pancreatic cancer]].<ref name="Bobby Bowden 'at peace' after being diagnosed with terminal medical condition">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31856730/bobby-bowden-peace-being-diagnosed-terminal-medical-condition|title= Bobby Bowden 'at peace' after being diagnosed with terminal medical condition |work=ESPN | date=July 21, 2021|accessdate=July 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Keel |first1=Fletcher |title=Bobby Bowden battling pancreatic cancer, according to son |url=https://www.wctv.tv/2021/07/22/bobby-bowden-battling-pancreatic-cancer-according-son/ |website=WCTV |date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2021}}</ref> On August 5, word began to filter from the Florida State faithful that Bowden was not doing well and his family was being told to gather. Bobby Bowden died on the morning of August 8, 2021.<ref name="obituary">{{cite web|url=https://eu.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/2021/08/08/bobby-bowden-dies-fsu-florida-state-football-coach-obituary-covid-coronavirus/3699190001/ |title=Bobby Bowden dies: Legendary coach built Florida State into college football powerhouse |publisher=Eu.tallahassee.com |date= |accessdate=August 8, 2021}}</ref> 

He lay in honor in the rotunda of the Florida Capitol Building on August 13. He then lay repose at the Moore Athletic Center outside of [[Doak Campbell Stadium]] later that day. A memorial service was held for Bowden in the Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee on August 14.  Bowden then lay in repose in the Reid Chapel at [[Samford University]] on August 15, prior to burial in [[Trussville, Alabama]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Service Details Set for Bobby Bowden|url=https://www.samford.edu/news/2021/08/Service-Details-Set-for-Bobby-Bowden|access-date=2021-08-12|website=Samford University|language=en}}</ref> on August 16.

==Legacy==
===Awards===
[[File:Bobby Bowden September 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Bowden in September 2010]]
Bowden was awarded the [[Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award]] for 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/sports/2020/5/29/previous-winners.aspx |title=Previous Winners |work=The Dodd Trophy |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717130252/https://chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/sports/2020/5/29/previous-winners.aspx |archive-date=July 17, 2021 }}</ref> He received the [[Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award]] for 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/legendary-florida-state-coach-bobby-bowden-readmitted-to-hospital-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19/ |title=Legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden readmitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 |work=CBS |last=Sallee |first=Barrett |date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104122538/https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/legendary-florida-state-coach-bobby-bowden-readmitted-to-hospital-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 }}</ref> In 1992 Bowden received the [[United States Sports Academy]]'s Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award in recognition of his outstanding achievement as a coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsfeatures.com/presspoint/pressrelease/51230/alabamas-nick-saban-to-receive-coach-of-the-year-award-on-united-states-sports-academy-campus|title=SFCPressPoint: Alabama's Nick Saban to Receive Coach of the Year Award on United States Sports Academy Campus|access-date=June 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511190339/http://www.sportsfeatures.com/presspoint/pressrelease/51230/alabamas-nick-saban-to-receive-coach-of-the-year-award-on-united-states-sports-academy-campus|archive-date=May 11, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, the playing surface at [[Doak Campbell Stadium]] was named Bobby Bowden Field in Bowden's honor. The stadium's capacity more than doubled through four expansions under his watch, reflecting the Seminoles' rise.

===Awards named after him===
On March 21, 2010, the Over the Mountain Touchdown Club of Birmingham, Alabama presented the first annual [[Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award]], named in honor of Bowden and the contributions that he made during his career. The award recognizes a coach each year with unmatched success on and off of the field in the same attributes that Bowden showed throughout his career: perseverance, attitude, integrity, and determination. University of Alabama head coach [[Nick Saban]] was the first recipient of the award, and it was presented by Bowden himself. The award is presented each year after national signing day and before the commencement of Spring practice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5062923|title=Low: Alabama's delayed gratification|date=April 7, 2010|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

In 2003, the [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]] presented the first of what is now a yearly award in Bowden's name.<ref name="SchlabachObit">{{cite web |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Schlabach |title='A Hall of Fame legacy': Remembering the one-of-a-kind life and career of Bobby Bowden |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31986159/remembering-one-kind-life-career-florida-state-legend-bobby-bowden |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN |access-date=13 August 2021 |language=en |date=8 August 2021}}</ref> The award was initiated by former Bowden assistant coach [[Vince Gibson]] and former Bowden player Vernon Brinson. It honors one college football player for his achievements on the field, in the classroom and in the community. In 2013, the Seminole Tribe of Florida became the official sponsor of the award. The Seminole Tribe of Florida Bobby Bowden Student-Athlete of the Year Award is presented each year prior to the College Football Playoff (CFP) national title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsfa.com/story/20509038/aus-ashton-richardson-wins-bobby-bowden-award|title=AU's Ashton Richardson wins Bobby Bowden Award|website=www.wsfa.com|date=January 5, 2013 }}</ref>

In 2011, in recognition of his philanthropic efforts with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bowden received the Children's Champion Award for Leadership Development from the charitable organization [[Children's Hunger Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chfus.org/component/content/article/565.html |title=A Look Back at the Children's Champion Award Celebration Banquet in Chicago |website=chfus.org |access-date=April 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525004948/http://www.chfus.org/component/content/article/565.html |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
===College football===
In his 44 seasons as a college football head coach, Bowden had 40 winning seasons (including 33 consecutive at Florida State), and 36 Division I-A winning seasons.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Knight|last=Joey |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/seminoles/2019/11/05/well-dadgum-florida-state-legend-bobby-bowden-is-turning-90/ |title=Well dadgum, Florida State legend Bobby Bowden is turning 90 |newspaper=[[Tampa Bay Times]] }}</ref> From 1987 through 2000, Bowden coached Florida State to 14 straight seasons with 10 or more victories, and his team had a final ranking in the top five of the major polls.<ref>{{cite news|last=Layden |first=Tim |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/08/08/remembering-bobby-bowden-florida-state-football-coach |title=Bobby Bowden death: FSU coach was a college football giant – Sports Illustrated |newspaper=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Si.com |date= |accessdate=August 9, 2021}}</ref>

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf= | bowl= | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Samford Bulldogs football|Howard Bulldogs]]
 | conf      = [[NCAA College Division|NCAA College Division independent]]
 | startyear = 1959
 | endyear   = 1962
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1959 college football season|1959]]
 | name         = [[1959 Howard Bulldogs football team|Howard]]
 | overall      = 9–1<ref name="LedgerBulldogs">{{cite web |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20091201/News/608115838 |work=The Ledger |title=Bobby's 'Brutal' Boot Camp |first1=Rick |last1=Rousos |first2=Mike |last2=Cobb |date=December 1, 2009 |accessdate=August 9, 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 | conference   = 
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1960 college football season|1960]]
 | name         = [[1960 Howard Bulldogs football team|Howard]]
 | overall      = 8–1<ref name="SeminolesBulldogs">{{cite web |accessdate=August 9, 2021 |url=https://seminoles.com/coaches/bobby-bowden/ |title=Bobby Bowden |work=[[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]] |archive-date=August 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809224628/https://seminoles.com/coaches/bobby-bowden/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1962 NCAA College Division football season|1962]]
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 | overall      = 7–2<ref name="SeminolesBulldogs"/>
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 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = Golden Isles Bowl
 | bowloutcome  = L
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{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Howard
 | overall    = 31–6<ref name="LedgerBulldogs"/>
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}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia Mountaineers]]<ref name="SportsReferences">{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/bobby-bowden-1.html |title=Bobby Bowden Coaching Record |work=sports-reference.com |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
 | conf      = [[NCAA University Division]] / Division I independent
 | startyear = 1970
 | endyear   = 1975
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1970 NCAA University Division football season|1970]]
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1972 NCAA University Division football season|1972]]
 | name         = [[1972 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
 | overall      = 8–4
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}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1973 NCAA Division I football season|1973]]
 | name         = [[1973 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1975 NCAA Division I football season|1975]]
 | name         = [[1975 West Virginia Mountaineers football team|West Virginia]]
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 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
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{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = West Virginia
 | overall    = 42–26
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 | name      = [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]]<ref name="SportsReferences"/>
 | conf      = [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|NCAA Division I / I-A independent]]
 | startyear = 1976
 | endyear   = 1991
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1977 NCAA Division I football season|1977]]
 | name         = [[1977 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | bcsbowl      = 
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1980 NCAA Division I-A football season|1980]]
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1982 NCAA Division I-A football season|1982]]
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 | bcsbowl      = 
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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
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 | year         = [[1983 NCAA Division I-A football season|1983]]
 | name         = [[1983 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 8–4 (7–5) ^
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}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1984 NCAA Division I-A football season|1984]]
 | name         = [[1984 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 7–3–2
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 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = [[1984 Florida Citrus Bowl|Florida Citrus]]
 | bowloutcome  = T
 | bcsbowl      = 
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}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1985 NCAA Division I-A football season|1985]]
 | name         = [[1985 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
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 | bowl         = 
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 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
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}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1986 NCAA Division I-A football season|1986]]
 | name         = [[1986 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 7–4–1
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 | confstanding = 
 | bowl         = 
 | bowlname     = [[1986 All-American Bowl|All-American]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
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}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1987 NCAA Division I-A football season|1987]]
 | name         = [[1987 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–1
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 | confstanding = 
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 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
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 | ranking2     = 2
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1988 NCAA Division I-A football season|1988]]
 | name         = [[1988 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–1
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 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 3
 | ranking2     = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1989 NCAA Division I-A football season|1989]]
 | name         = [[1989 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 10–2
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 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = [[1990 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 2
 | ranking2     = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1990 NCAA Division I-A football season|1990]]
 | name         = [[1990 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 10–2
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 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = [[Blockbuster Bowl|Blockbuster]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 4
 | ranking2     = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[1991 NCAA Division I-A football season|1991]]
 | name         = [[1991 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–2
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 | confstanding = 
 | bowlname     = [[1992 Cotton Bowl Classic|Cotton]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      =
 | ranking      = 4
 | ranking2     = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State Seminoles]]<ref name="SportsReferences"/>
 | conf      = [[Atlantic Coast Conference]]
 | startyear = 1992
 | endyear   = 2009
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1992 NCAA Division I-A football season|1992]]
 | name         = [[1992 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–1
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 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[1993 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 2
 | ranking2     = 2
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = national
 | year         = [[1993 NCAA Division I-A football season|1993]]
 | name         = [[1993 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 12–1
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 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[1994 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 1
 | ranking2     = 1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1994 NCAA Division I-A football season|1994]]
 | name         = [[1994 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 10–1–1
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[1995 Sugar Bowl (January)|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 5
 | ranking2     = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1995 NCAA Division I-A football season|1995]]
 | name         = [[1995 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 10–2
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = T–1st 
 | bowlname     = [[1996 Orange Bowl (January)|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 5
 | ranking2     = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1996 NCAA Division I-A football season|1996]]
 | name         = [[1996 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–1
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[1997 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 3
 | ranking2     = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1997 NCAA Division I-A football season|1997]]
 | name         = [[1997 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–1
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[1998 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 3
 | ranking2     = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[1998 NCAA Division I-A football season|1998]]
 | name         = [[1998 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–2
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | bowlname     = [[1999 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 3
 | ranking2     = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = national
 | year         = [[1999 NCAA Division I-A football season|1999]]
 | name         = [[1999 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 12–0
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[2000 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 1
 | ranking2     = 1
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[2000 NCAA Division I-A football season|2000]]
 | name         = [[2000 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 11–2
 | conference   = 8–0
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[2001 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 4
 | ranking2     = 5
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2001 NCAA Division I-A football season|2001]]
 | name         = [[2001 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 8–4
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | bowlname     = [[2002 Gator Bowl|Gator]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 15
 | ranking2     = 15
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[2002 NCAA Division I-A football season|2002]]
 | name         = [[2002 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 9–5
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[2003 Sugar Bowl|Sugar]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 23
 | ranking2     = 21
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[2003 NCAA Division I-A football season|2003]]
 | name         = [[2003 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 10–3
 | conference   = 7–1
 | confstanding = 1st
 | bowlname     = [[2004 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 10
 | ranking2     = 11
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2004 NCAA Division I-A football season|2004]]
 | name         = [[2004 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 9–3
 | conference   = 6–2
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | bowlname     = [[2005 Gator Bowl|Gator]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 14
 | ranking2     = 15
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | year         = [[2005 NCAA Division I-A football season|2005]]
 | name         = [[2005 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 8–5
 | conference   = 5–3
 | confstanding = 1st <small>(Atlantic)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2006 Orange Bowl|Orange]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = yes
 | ranking      = 23
 | ranking2     = 22
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | year         = [[2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2006]]
 | name         = [[2006 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 7–6 ‡
 | conference   = 3–5 ‡
 | confstanding = 5th <small>(Atlantic)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2006 Emerald Bowl|Emerald]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | year         = [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007]]
 | name         = [[2007 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 7–6 ‡
 | conference   = 4–4 ‡
 | confstanding = 3rd <small>(Atlantic)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2007 Music City Bowl|Music City]]
 | bowloutcome  = L
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = division
 | year         = [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2008]]
 | name         = [[2008 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 9–4
 | conference   = 5–3
 | confstanding = T–1st <small>(Atlantic)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2008 Champs Sports Bowl|Champs Sports]]
 | bowloutcome  = W
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 23
 | ranking2     = 21
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | year         = [[2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2009]]
 | name         = [[2009 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]]
 | overall      = 7–6
 | conference   = 4–4
 | confstanding = 3rd <small>(Atlantic)</small>
 | bowlname     = [[2010 Gator Bowl|Gator]]
 | bowloutcome  = W 
 | bcsbowl      = 
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Florida State
 | overall    = 304–97–4
 | confrecord = 105–27
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall   = 377–129–4
 | yearstart = 1992
 | yearend   = 2005
 | poll      = two
 | polltype  =
}}
^ The 1983 season includes a forfeit win vs. Tulane.<br/>
‡ For the 2006 and 2007 seasons 12 wins, including 6 conference wins, were vacated for use of ineligible players. 5 wins from 2006 (including 2 conference wins) and 7 wins from 2007 (including 4 conference wins) were ultimately vacated by the NCAA.

==Coaching tree==
Assistant coaches under Bobby Bowden who became NCAA head coaches:

{{div col|colwidth=14em}}
* [[Brad Scott (American football)|Brad Scott]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2018/10/26/clemsons-jeff-scott-has-fond-memories-former-fsu-coach-bobby-bowden/1729038002/ |title=Clemson's Jeff Scott has fond memories of former FSU coach Bobby Bowden |publisher=Greenvilleonline.com |date= |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Mark Richt]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/columns/gene-frenette/2021/08/08/bobby-bowdens-faith-filled-influence-left-big-impression-mark-richt/5531917001/ |title=Bobby Bowden's faith-filled influence left an impression on Mark Richt |publisher=Jacksonville.com |date=January 1, 2002 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Chuck Amato]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/2021/07/26/former-nc-state-football-chuck-amato-says-goodbye-florida-state-coach-bobby-bowden-pancreatic-cancer/8091346002/ |title=Longtime Florida State coach Chuck Amato says goodbye to Bobby Bowden |publisher=Fayobserver.com |date= |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Tommy Bowden]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/football/2016/12/14/montgomery-quarterback-club-tommy-bowden-born-coach/95413136/ |title=Montgomery Quarterback Club: Tommy Bowden 'born to coach' |publisher=Montgomeryadvertiser.com |date= |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Terry Bowden]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/college/ulm/2021/08/08/terry-bowden-reflects-bobby-bowden-i-couldnt-have-asked-better-personal-mentor-than-my-father/5530534001/ |title=Bobby Bowden dies: His son Terry reflects on passing of legendary coach |publisher=Thenewsstar.com |date=January 19, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Rick Stockstill]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/Article/Bobby-Bowden-among-College-Footballs-Top-Coaching-Trees-30320604/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123231456/https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/Article/Bobby-Bowden-among-College-Footballs-Top-Coaching-Trees-30320604/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |title=Bobby Bowden among College Football's Top Coaching Trees |publisher=247sports.com |date= |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Skip Holtz]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/10/17/college-football-florida-state-notre-dame-1993-1-vs-2-game-of-the-century/17377457/ |title=On eve of Notre Dame-Florida State, revisiting the Game of the Century |publisher=Usatoday.com |date= |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Kirby Smart]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2014/07/kirby_smart_explains_why_nick.html|title=Kirby Smart explains why Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden are 'polar opposites'|first1=Michael|last1=Casagr|first2=E. |last2=Mcasagr|date=July 1, 2014|website=al}}</ref>
* [[Daryl Dickey]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2001-01-12-0101120266-story.html |title=EX-VOL QB TO COACH FSU QBS |work=Orlando Sentinel |via=Google Search |date=January 12, 2001 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Jimbo Fisher]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/5336961/jimbo-fisher-coach-in-waiting-worked-out-but-it-wasnt-smooth |title=Jimbo Fisher: Coach-in-waiting worked out, but it wasn't smooth |publisher=Oklahoman.com |date=August 29, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Manny Diaz (American football)|Manny Diaz]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Jim |date=January 13, 2016 |title=Former 'Nole Diaz returns home to Miami |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/2016/01/13/former-nole-diaz-returns-home-miami/78758520/ |access-date=August 9, 2021 |publisher=Tallahassee.com}}</ref>

{{div col end}}

==Bibliography==
Bobby Bowden has co-authored several books, including:
*''Winning's Only Part of the Game: Lessons of Life and Football'' (1996) ({{ISBN|0-446-52050-0}})
*''The Bowden Way: 50 Years of Leadership Wisdom'' (2001) ({{ISBN|1-56352-684-0}})
*''Bobby Bowden's Tales from the Seminole Sideline'' (2004) ({{ISBN|1-58261-406-7}})
*''Called to Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football'' (2010) ({{ISBN|1-43919-597-8}})

Books about Bobby Bowden's early coaching years:
*''Bobby Bowden: Memories of a Legend and His Boys from South Georgia College'' (2008) ({{ISBN|978-1-58385-282-8}})

Books about Bobby Bowden's entire career:
*''Bobby Bowden: Win By Win'' (2003) ({{ISBN|0-7385-1544-2}})
*''Bowden: How Bobby Bowden Forged a Football Dynasty '' (2003) ({{ISBN|0-0614-7419-3}})
*''Pure Gold: Bobby Bowden – An Inside Look'' (2004) ({{ISBN|1-5967-0120-X}})

Books that feature contributions from Bobby Bowden:
*''Grateful: From Walking on to Winning It All at Florida State'' by Ryan Sprague, (2010) ({{ISBN|978-0-9828763-0-5}})

==See also==
* [[List of college football career coaching wins leaders]]
* [[List of College Football Hall of Fame inductees (coaches)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Footnotes===
{{Notelist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051021031651/http://seminoles.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bowden_bobby01.html Florida State profile]
* {{College Football HoF|2189}}
* {{Find a Grave}}

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