Colleges

No time for Bowden to rest

For the rest of the team, now is the time to relish their win in the Emerald Bowl.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published December 29, 2006

For the Florida State Seminoles, it's the offseason, time to enjoy their win against UCLA in Wednesday night's Emerald Bowl and kick back a bit.

Not so much for their coach.

Bobby Bowden will be anything but off as he begins looking for an offensive coordinator to replace son Jeff and revamp his staff like he has rarely had to do before.

He won't say if he has whittled his well-guarded list of candidates, and athletic director Dave Hart won't say if Florida State has formally asked permission to talk to anyone, although in job searches these days, a significant dialogue goes on through agents and friends.

While the rumor mill churns, beginning with LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, Bowden said he decided a while ago to wait until the bowl season ends.

And he even called Michigan coach Lloyd Carr for advice. Carr made several coaching changes after the 2005 season and waited until teams had completed the postseason.

"That made me feel like I was probably doing the right thing by not rushing," Bowden said. "And I've still got some ifs."

FSU has been laying the groundwork to start and finish fast enough so as not to negatively affect recruiting, although Bowden said getting the right staff no matter how long it takes is more important than signing a single prospect. Hart secured the needed approval to sign assistants to more than a one-year deal. Only defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and linebackers coach/executive head coach Kevin Steele have two-year deals.

"Whoever I bring in here, it'll be his offense," Bowden said. "But it'll be somebody who does a lot of things I like to do. I'm not going wishbone."

ODDS AND ENDS: Quarterback Drew Weatherford stamped himself as the clear-cut No. 1 going into the spring, Bowden said. Might Xavier Lee transfer? Only oft-injured and seldom-used defensive lineman Aaron Jones is talking about transferring, Bowden said. ... Linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who scored his third touchdown of the season on a blocked punt return against UCLA, told Bowden he plans to return for his senior year but is prudently going to see what he learns from the NFL about his draft prospects. "I think he'd jump at least a round by staying," Bowden said. ... Kicker Gary Cismesia, who had missed his previous four field goals and five of six entering the bowl game in San Francisco, was 3-for-3 (39-, 21- and 36-yarders) and totaled 14 points. That's an FSU record for points kicking in a bowl.

Brian Landman can be reached at landman@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3347.

[Last modified December 29, 2006, 00:10:04]