NFF Gold Medal Recipients
Biography
In 2006, Bobby Bowden continues to build his legacy as he leads the Seminoles onto the field for the 31st year. He became the all-time winningest coach in major college history in 2003 and currently has 359 career wins. He is the only coach to lead his team to 14 straight seasons that ended with a ranking among the Associated Press Top five. He's coached two national championship teams including the 1999 squad that was the first ever to go through a season from start to finish as the AP No. 1. The field at Doak Campbell Stadium was named for him last season, and a national award given by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes now bears his name.
With a 19-9-1 record in bowl games, he trails the overall record of 21 career bowl wins held by Penn State's Joe Paterno by just two. FSU's Orange Bowl trip in 2005 marked the 24th straight season that the Seminoles reached a bowl game. Bowden is the only coach in NCAA history to win 11 consecutive bowl games (1985-95) and the only coach ever with 14 consecutive bowl appearances (1982-95) without a loss (FSU tied Georgia 17-17 in the 1984 Citrus Bowl).
Bowden took over an FSU program in 1976 that had won just four games over the previous three seasons. This past season, the school honored his success and longevity with the dedication of a statue of his likeness that sits in front of the Moore Athletic Center and with the official proclamation of Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. His record at Florida State is 286-75-4. The totals include a 149-23-2 record in Tallahassee, 32-9-1 record at neutral sites and 105-43-1 on an opponent's field.
Bowden achieved impressive numbers in his previous coaching stops, including a 31-6 record at his alma mater Howard College (now Samford University) between 1959 and 1962, and a 42-26 mark at West Virginia from 1970-75. During his tenure with Florida State, his Seminoles have won 10 or more games in a season 18 times. Florida State had been to just eight bowls in the 29 years before him. The 2006 Orange Bowl marked the Seminole's 27th since his arrival.
Florida State is the only school to finish among the (Associated Press) Top Five for 14 consecutive seasons. The Seminoles finished first twice (1993, 1999); second twice (1987, 92); third, four times (1988, 89, 97, 99); fourth, five times (1990, 91, 94, 95, 96); and fifth in 2000. In their 14 seasons in the ACC, FSU is 108-13, has claimed 12 ACC championships and set the league record for consecutive victories. Bowden picked up ACC Coach of the Year titles in 1993 and 1997.
FSU also won more games in the decade of the 1990s than any other program. The win over Wake Forest on October 25, 2003 allowed him to become the all-time winningest major college coach. This December, Bowden will receive induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Bowden and his wife, Ann, have six children; daughters Robyn and Ginger and sons Steve, former Auburn head coach Terry, former Clemson head coach Tommy and former Florida State assistant coach Jeff.
