Bobby Bowden was a highly successful American college football coach who led the Florida State Seminoles from 1976 to 2009. During his tenure, he transformed the program into a national powerhouse, achieving two national championships and numerous conference titles. His coaching career spanned several decades, though controversy arose towards the end regarding improper player benefits and academic issues, leading to vacated wins and his eventual departure from FSU. Despite these challenges, Bowden remains a prominent figure in college football history, recognized for his coaching prowess and influential impact on the sport.
November 8, 1929: Birth of Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden was born on November 8, 1929.
April 1, 1949: Bowden's Marriage
Bobby Bowden married Ann Estock on April 1, 1949.
1949: Bobby Bowden Marries Ann Estock
Bobby Bowden married his childhood sweetheart, Ann Estock, in 1949. They had six children and 21 grandchildren.
1953: Graduation from Howard College
Bobby Bowden graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in 1953.
1954: Coaching at Howard College
Bobby Bowden served as an assistant football coach and head track and field coach at Howard College (now Samford University) starting in 1954.
1956: Athletic Director and Coach at South Georgia College
Bowden took on roles as athletic director and coach for football, baseball, and basketball at South Georgia College in 1956.
1958: End of Tenure at South Georgia College
Bowden's time at South Georgia College ended in 1958.
1959: Return to Howard as Head Coach
Bobby Bowden returned to Howard College as head coach in 1959.
1962: Assistant Coach at Florida State
Bobby Bowden joined Florida State University as an assistant coach in 1962.
1962: Coaching Wide Receivers at Florida State
Bowden coached wide receivers at Florida State University from 1962-1964.
1964: Coaching Wide Receivers at Florida State
Bowden coached wide receivers at Florida State University from 1962 to 1964.
1965: Assistant Coach at West Virginia University
Bowden became an assistant coach at West Virginia University in 1965.
1969: Head Coach at West Virginia University
Bobby Bowden replaced Jim Carlen as head coach at West Virginia University in 1969.
1970: Support for Marshall University
In 1970, after the Marshall University plane crash, Bowden offered support to the grieving team, including sharing game film and playbooks.
1976: Return to Florida State as Head Coach
Bowden returned to Florida State University as head coach in 1976.
1976: Move to Florida State
Bowden moved to become head coach of Florida State in 1976.
1976: Only Losing Season at Florida State
Bobby Bowden's first season at Florida State in 1976 was his only losing season there.
1976: Bowden Begins Coaching at Florida State
Bobby Bowden started his coaching career at Florida State University in 1976.
1980: Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
Bowden was awarded the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 1980.
1983: Forfeit Win vs. Tulane
The 1983 season included a forfeit win against Tulane.
1987: Start of 14-Year Streak
From 1987, Bowden began a 14-year streak of 10+ win seasons and top-five rankings.
1987: Start of Dominant Period at Florida State
The start of a dominant period for Florida State under Bowden, from 1987 to 2000.
1989: Start of Long AP Poll Streak
Florida State began a long streak of appearances in the AP Poll, from 1989 to 2001.
1991: Florida State Joins ACC
Florida State University joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991.
1991: Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award
Bowden received the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award in 1991.
1992: Joining the ACC
Florida State joined the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 1992.
1992: Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award
In 1992, Bowden received the Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award.
1993: First National Championship
Bobby Bowden led Florida State to their first consensus national championship in 1993.
1993: National Championship Win
Florida State, under Bowden, won the national championship in 1993.
1993: Terry Bowden's Undefeated Season
Terry Bowden coached Auburn to an undefeated season in 1993.
1998: Terry Bowden's Resignation Cancels Potential Bowden Bowl
Terry Bowden's midseason resignation from Auburn in 1998 prevented a potential Bowden Bowl matchup against his father.
1998: Tommy Bowden's Undefeated Season at Tulane
Tommy Bowden led Tulane to an undefeated season in 1998.
1999: First Father-Son Coaching Matchup
The 1999 Bowden Bowl marked the first time in Division I-A history that a father (Bobby) and son (Tommy) coached against each other.
1999: Bobby Bowden's National Championship Season
In 1999, Bobby Bowden coached Florida State to a national championship, one of two he won during his career.
1999: National Championship Win
Florida State won another national championship under Bowden in 1999.
1999: Second National Championship
Bobby Bowden and Florida State won their second consensus national championship in 1999.
1999: A Planned Bowden Bowl
A Bowden Bowl was initially planned for 1999 between Auburn, coached by Terry Bowden, and Florida State, coached by Bobby Bowden.
2000: End of 14-Year Streak
2000 marked the end of Bowden's 14 consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins and top five rankings.
2000: Third Consecutive National Championship Appearance
Following the 2000 season, Bowden led Florida State to their third national championship game appearance in a row.
2000: End of Dominant Period at Florida State
The end of a dominant period for Florida State under Bowden.
2003: First FCA Bobby Bowden Award Presented
In 2003, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes presented the first Bobby Bowden Award, honoring a college football player for achievements on and off the field.
2003: Last Top 10 Finish and 10-Win Season
2003 marked Bowden's last season with at least 10 wins and a top 10 ranking in the final media poll.
2005: Consistent AP Poll Ranking
Florida State consistently ranked in the AP Poll from 1987 to 2005, under Bowden's leadership.
2006: Academic Scandal at Florida State
An academic scandal occurred at Florida State University in 2006.
2006: Florida State's Worst Season in Decades
In 2006, Florida State finished 7-6, their worst record since Bobby Bowden's first season. They also had their first losing record in ACC play.
2006: Wins Vacated Due to Ineligible Players
In 2006, Florida State had wins vacated due to the use of ineligible players.
2007: Academic Scandal at Florida State
An academic scandal occurred at Florida State University in 2007.
2007: Further Vacated Wins
Florida State had additional wins vacated in 2007 for using ineligible players.
2007: Jimbo Fisher Hired and Designated Successor
In 2007, after another 7-6 season, Jimbo Fisher was hired as offensive coordinator and named Bowden's successor.
2007: End of an Era: The Last Bowden Bowl
The annual "Bowden Bowl" between Florida State and Clemson ended in 2007. Bobby Bowden won the series 5-4 against his son.
2008: Tommy Bowden's Resignation Ends Bowden Bowl Series
Tommy Bowden's resignation from Clemson in 2008 marked the end of the Bowden Bowl series.
2008: Bowden and Paterno's Win Race
Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno were in close competition for the title of winningest NCAA Division I football coach in 2008.
2008: Seminoles Rebound
The Seminoles improved to a 9-4 record in 2008.
March 6, 2009: NCAA Ruling Impacts Bowden's Win Record
On March 6, 2009, an NCAA ruling required Florida State to vacate wins due to an ineligible player, impacting Bowden's overall win record.
2009: Bowden Announces Retirement
After barely qualifying for a bowl game, Bowden announced his retirement in 2009, effective at the end of the season.
2009: End of Bowden's Tenure at Florida State
Bobby Bowden's time as head coach at Florida State University ended in 2009.
2009: Difficult Season Leads to Retirement
Following a challenging 2009 season, Bobby Bowden was compelled to retire.
January 5, 2010: NCAA Upholds Ruling
The NCAA upheld its ruling on January 5, 2010, regarding the vacated wins from Florida State, impacting Bowden's final career record.
March 21, 2010: First Annual Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award Presented
On March 21, 2010, the first Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award was presented to Nick Saban.
2011: Planned Transition of Power
2011 was the final year that Bowden was slated to remain head coach before Fisher was to take over.
2011: Children's Champion Award
Bowden received the Children's Champion Award for Leadership Development from the Children's Hunger Fund in 2011.
2013: Seminole Tribe Sponsors Bowden Award
The Seminole Tribe of Florida became the official sponsor of the Bobby Bowden Student-Athlete of the Year Award in 2013.
2016: Bowden Endorses Donald Trump
Bobby Bowden endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2016.
2017: "The Bowden Dynasty" Release
A documentary film and book, "The Bowden Dynasty", about Bobby Bowden's life were released in 2017.
October 2020: Bowden Diagnosed with COVID-19
Bobby Bowden tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020.
2020: Bowden Endorses Trump Again
Bobby Bowden again endorsed Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
July 21, 2021: Bowden Diagnosed with Terminal Illness
On July 21, 2021, Bobby Bowden was diagnosed with a terminal illness, later revealed to be pancreatic cancer.
August 8, 2021: Death of Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden passed away on August 8, 2021.