Jimbo Fisher hasn’t had contact with FSU legend Bobby Bowden

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher asked if he’s had any contact with legend Bobby Bowden this spring: “Not during the spring - actually before the spring I talked to him. Not during the spring. … I’ve heard him say this many a time … he doesn’t [want] the new coach to feel like somebody is looking over his shoulder and he’s there. And I think he does it out of respect for myself and the new job because he understands that as a head coach what that means.” – Orlando Sentinel

Seminoles, Hurricanes to SEC?

There can never really be enough realignment talk between January and September. Other than spring practice and fall camp, there is not a whole lot other than these rumors to keep a college football fan going. So here’s one more to think about: could the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles be heading to the SEC? Probably not, but if the Big Ten makes a big move and expands to 16 teams, don’t expect the SEC to be far behind in expanding. – Miami Herald

Bobby Bowden will stay away from Florida State games

Bobby Bowden also plans to attend football games this year but will probably stay away from Florida State games. “Oh I will follow them on television and pull for them, but I want the other guy to have complete free reign,” he said. “I don’t want anyone to think I am looking over his shoulder. I plan to get out of his way and let him go. But I will definitely be pulling for him. I think there is a greater chance that I will be following Terry and Jeffrey at Northern Alabama. It’s just something I have never been able to do, and it will be great to sit in the stands with my wife and watch my kids coach. There is no doubt that I will do that. – Macon Telegraph

Jimbo Fisher Era Begins at FSU

The Jimbo Fisher era began … with a pinch. Well, maybe not literally. But the first head football coach Florida State University has hired since 1976 said he’s had a few moments the last two weeks where he had to remind himself that this dream of his is now a reality. The most recent came Friday afternoon in Jacksonville, when he juggled the emotions of saying goodbye to legendary coach Bobby Bowden with the thrill of assuming control of the FSU program. “I was thinking about it coming off the field,” Fisher said as he sat outside the FSU locker room Friday afternoon. “We’ve got a staff meeting tomorrow and then we’ll get together and organize it and hit the road. It will probably really sink in tonight. “I’ve been doing it for two weeks, but now it’s here. I’ve been pinching myself. It will sink in quickly because we’ve got some work to do.” Actually, Fisher has a lot of work to get done. And the planning for that work began Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock when he presided over his first staff meeting. Fisher previewed his agenda for his first week on the job. “Organize our recruiting,” Fisher said. “Hire the other coach we’re going to hire — hopefully by the end of the week. Get a strength coach hired. Get going on this off season program so we can get rolling.” Fisher paused briefly and then added: “Let’s start taking this thing back.” – NW Florida Daily News

FSU hires former Auburn star Dameyune Craig

New Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is adding one of the top young coaches in the country to his first Seminoles staff. Former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig will join the Florida State staff under Fisher, multiple sources have told NoleInsider.com in recent days. This will be Craig’s third stint as either a player or coach under Fisher, who was his position coach at Auburn. In 2004, he was a graduate assistant at LSU under Fisher. He left in 2005 to coach under Nick Saban as a special teams assistant for the Miami Dolphins. Following two years as the quarterbacks coach at Division II Tuskegee (Ala.), he joined the staff at South Alabama in his hometown of Mobile, Ala., where he currently is the receivers coach. It is not known what position Craig will coach at this time. He could possibly coach quarterbacks or co-coach the receivers with Lawrence Dawsey. – NoleInsider.com

FSU Hires Mark Stoops as DC

Report courtesy NoleInsider.com

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has hired Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops for the same position in Tallahassee, sources have told NoleInsider.com. NI first reported he was a strong candidate for the position last week and he continued to gain momentum for the position. Under his brother Mike, Stoops helped the Wildcats have a breakthrough season which included a win over USC in Los Angeles and a trip to the Holiday Bowl. Mark Stoops also coached at Miami from 2001-03. – NoleInsider.com

Report courtesy NoleInsider.com

Jimbo Fisher Targeting Big Names in FSU DC Search

There are some major names in the mix to become new Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher’s first defensive coordinator. NoleInsider.com has the inside word, exclusively for premium members, on several prominent names that have emerged as legitimate candidates in the past 72 hours of the search… Two independent sources confirmed to NI that Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster has entered the mix for the job… Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has emerged as a candidate for the position. He is in his sixth season working for his brother, Mike Stoops, in Tucson and the Wildcats had a breakthrough season this year… Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini is in his second year in Lincoln and is in the mix for the job according to sources… The most intriguing name on the list is probably the biggest – and is likely the leader in the house. South Carolina’s Assistant Head Coach Ellis Johnson has done a terrific job over the course of his stellar career directing defenses at Clemson, Alabama, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Southern Miss. Johnson is also considered the leading candidate to replace Willie Martinez at Georgia, who was fired yesterday… Sunseri, remains in contention for the position as well. – NoleInsider.com

Bobby Bowden to Retire

NoleInsider.com has confirmed through multiple sources that, barring a last minute change of heart, legendary Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden plans to announce his retirement from coaching Tuesday. Bowden, who has been the head coach at FSU since 1976, leaves the school as one of the winningest coaches in college football history. His 388 career victories are second all-time in college football history behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno. Bowden will coach his final game with the Seminoles in their bowl game. Florida State finished a 6-6 regular season with a 37-10 loss to in-state rival Florida last Saturday in Gainesville. Bowden’s final home game was a 29-26 win against Maryland to get the Noles to bowl eligibility for the 28th straight season. There are unconfirmed rumors that the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville may try to put together a West Virginia vs. Florida State matchup to honor Bowden’s last game as a head football coach. Bowden was the head coach in Morgantown from 1970-75 prior to taking the FSU job. He spent 1966-69 as the offensive coordinator for the Mountaineers. – NoleInsider.com

Bobby Bowden wants to coach FSU in 2010

Less than 24 hours after he made national news by saying he had some “soul searching” to do following his team’s 37-10 loss to No. 1 Florida, Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden had apparently found the answer. He wants to remain the head coach. “Right now I would like to come back,” Bowden said in his Sunday teleconference with the media. “The only thing I can say is right now, sitting right here - and I guess it could change in a day or two, it could - but right now, I would like to come back. “Still, I’ve got bosses. I’ve got people that would have to approve it.” – Tallahassee Democrat

Bobby Bowden to do some ’soul searching’

For the first time in his 34 seasons at Florida State as coach, Bobby Bowden seemed unsure if he wanted to continue his remarkable coaching career any longer. Only minutes after the Seminoles were demolished by No. 1 Florida for the second straight season, losing 37-10 in Bowden’s final trip to the Swamp, Bowden didn’t sound like he’d be coaching at FSU again in 2010. “I want to coach next year, but let me say I need to go home and do some soul searching,” Bowden said… FSU officials are expected to meet with Bowden and coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher on Monday, and an announcement regarding Bowden’s fate could be announced as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to the source… “I’ve got to see how I absorb the game,” Bowden told ESPN.com afterward. “I need to run the game through my mind a few times. I want to coach, but I’ve got to think about it.” – NoleInsider.com, an ESPN Affiliate

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