Colleges

Bowden deal among questions

With his contract set to expire in January, Bobby Bowden is in talks with President T.K. Wetherell on a multi-year deal that would give the coach a "lifetime deal." 

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 29, 2007

Once again, speculation is running hot about the Florida State football coaching staff.

For one thing, coach Bobby Bowden, for the first time in his tenure, has seen his contract almost expire. It's up in January. President T.K. Wetherell has consistently said that Bowden has essentially a "lifetime deal" and has been negotiating a multi-year contract that's likely to see a bump in pay from the $1.8-million annual package - a relative bargain in today's age - Bowden has received for the past five years. That could be mostly incentive-laden, however.

"We expect something to be concluded imminently," said Russ Campbell, Bowden's attorney, adding that getting a financial commitment more in line with the marketplace is more important than the duration.

There's also offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher, whose name has or will come up as a possible head coach.

FSU officials want him to stick around he signed a three-year deal that's worth about $425,000 annually in January and he has talked to Wetherell. Some folks are speculating that it may take a promise that Fisher will be the heir to Bowden for him not to leave and perhaps take some of the top prospects who have orally committed with him, such as quarterback E.J. Manuel.

While Bowden has maintained for years he hasn't thought about retiring, he has said he wouldn't want to announce anything early and endure the attention of a farewell tour. Bowden said he hopes there's no departures from his current staff.

"This group really worked good together," he said. "Now we've had a year together. ... This year, our coaches were learning these players and learning what they can do. This spring, we know what they can do."

But if an assistant is interested in another job, Bowden said he's never refused a request to explore it. As of Wednesday afternoon, no one had contacted Bowden asking permission to speak to anyone on his staff.

"You just have to live that part out," he said.

THIS JUST IN ...: Wetherell signed the contract addendum Wednesday that added two years to basketball coach Leonard Hamilton's deal. Wetherell wanted the extension announced Nov. 11, the eve of the opener, to end "recruiting rumors" about Hamilton's job security.

HUSKIES IN THE WAY, AGAIN: For the third time in six years, FSU finds UConn in its path for a shot at the women's soccer national title. The Huskies won an NCAA Tournament third round meeting 1-0 in Storrs, Conn. in 2002 and eliminated the Seminoles 2-0 in the 2003 national semifinals in Cary, N.C.

FSU's third shot at the Huskies comes Friday in Tallahassee with a berth in the national semifinals on the line.

"Although they have beaten us twice, we're playing very good soccer right now," senior midfielder Kirsten van de Ven said.

SILVER LINING: Junior center Britany Miller, expected to be the focal point of the offense and defense, missed the last four games with a sprained right ankle. But there's been an upside for the No. 21 Seminoles (5-1).

Sophomore forward Cayla Moore, who averaged just 5.2 minutes in just 10 games last year, has done well in relief by averaging 4.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 18.2 minutes. Junior guard Mara Freshour has played a power forward on the offensive end, while junior guard Tanae Davis-Cain has guarded the post defensively.

"It's been an adjustment for us, but a lot of people have stepped up," coach Sue Semrau said.

Miller is expected back for Friday's game at Indiana. In addition to Miller's absence, sophomore forward Jacinta Monroe was slowed by the flu last week and sophomore guard Alysha Harvin remains suspended indefinitely and has not played.

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

[Last modified November 28, 2007, 19:33:18]