Fisher Era Begins Saturday in Tallahassee

In 1976, Bobby Bowden left West Virginia to become the head football coach at Florida State University in Tallahassee. The Seminoles had won just four football games in its previous three seasons. The Seminoles finished 5-6 in 1976 and have not had a losing season since. In fact, Bowden built a powerhouse that was able to reach feats that will never be paralleled in today's modern age of college football. Bowden compiled a 304-97-4 record (12 wins have since been vacated), two national championships, 12 conference championships and produced a pair of Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks and 28 consecutive bowl appearances to conclude his career. From 1987-2000, the Seminoles finished in the Associated Press Poll's top 5 every year. But what made Bowden great was his folksy personality, great sense of humor and unyielding devotion to God and his family. Bowden is a member of College Football's Hall of Fame and a living legend.

Enter Jimbo Fisher; Fisher like Bowden graduated from Samford University, ironically whom Fisher will begin his head coaching career against. Fisher had a history with the Bowdens. He coached under Bobby's son Terry at Samford in 1991 and 1992 before following Terry to Auburn in 1993 to become Auburn's Quarterbacks coach. Fisher left Auburn for Cincinnati in 1999 and the following year joined Nick Saban at LSU becoming the LSU offensive coordinator. Fisher served as Saban's offensive coordinator for seven years, helping the school to its first national championship in 45 years in 2003. Fisher came to Florida State in 2007 to become the school's offensive coordinator. Prior to the 2008 season, it was announced that Fisher would succeed Bowden as the school's head coach. Fisher's time is now.

While Jimbo Fisher has many of the charismatic qualities that Coach Bowden exhibited throughout the years, his coaching style is more resembling of his former boss, Nick Saban. While Bowden was quick to distribute much of his coaching authority to his assistants, Fisher takes more of a hands-on approach. His new style has struck a chord with many of his players. "He's taken control of pretty much everything," said senior quarterback Christian Ponder. Fisher has retained three of Bowden's assistants, but has hired many new faces more aligned with Fisher's style and attitude. Just about every Florida State fan will miss Bobby Bowden, but Fisher has the Seminole faithful quite optimistic in Tallahassee. Over the past four years, Florida State has underachieved by most's standards. The Seminoles finished just 7-6 in three of the past four years sandwiched around a 9-4 campaign in 2008. Despite the less than stellar seasons of late, Fisher inherits a team that has a plethora of talent. In fact, the Seminoles are the ACC's preseason favorite to win the conference's Atlantic Division.

While many were disappointed with the way that Bobby Bowden's career ended, the vast majority are supportive of Jimbo Fisher. Saturday at noon, the Seminoles will host Fisher's alma-mater Samford. Fisher and Bowden have both been quoted on the advice that was passed down from Bowden to Fisher; Bowden told Fisher, "Do it your own way". Fisher has. The old adage goes "You don't want to be the guy who replaces the guy, you want to be the guy who replaces that guy that replaced the guy", but Seminoles fans believe that Fisher is the guy. For the first time in 34 years, the home sideline at Doak Campbell Stadium won't be patrolled by one, coach Bobby Bowden come Saturday. The proverbial torch has been passed.