“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
- Robert Frost

It’s sad to see a legend go, especially in the manner of Bowden’s departure. Bobby Bowden deserved better. Alot better. Florida State would not be the program it is today had it not been for the man. Seminole fans say he was past his prime, they say his unwavering stubbornness to change and his coaching staff stymied the direction of the program, but will they admit they simply overreacted? Spoiled by years of uncontested dominance unseen prior to Bowden’s arrival in Tallahassee.

Were we all that much different?

I suppose we were different. In fact, we were worse off.

You can’t really blame a fan base for their increasing restlessness when their program has declined from its lofty past standards. But when those standards are consistent 11 to 12 win seasons set by, you know it, Bobby Bowden, even that is a ridiculous expectation to have.

Even as Florida State’s struggled through its worst season in recent memory this year, it still pales in comparison to the dark era of Penn State football during 2000 to 2004 (2001 excluded). When your worst season in over 2 decades is 6-6 and a 0.500 record in conference play, one would expect the fan base to be restless, but understanding. The way the folks down in Tallahassee have reacted to this season, you would almost think Florida State had a Michigan-esque season. In fact, the last time Florida State has had a losing conference record was in 2006 when it stumbled to a 3-5 record in the ACC. And yet, Bowden still managed to amass a 7-6 overall record that season. Here’s a bit of trivia, when was the last time Bobby Bowden owned a losing record at Florida State? Think 1976, Bobby Bowden’s first season with the Seminoles. He has been 0.500 or better ever since. Now that’s the coach Florida State fans have just forced out the door.

Joe Paterno on the other hand has had 5 losing seasons during his time here at Penn State. The administration here at Penn State almost made the same mistake of forcing Paterno out following the 4-7, 2004 season. The game has passed him by they claimed. He no longer has the ability to keep up with the ever changing play calling they claimed. 2 Big Ten championships, 3 bowl victories and five 9+ win seasons later, who ended up with the last laugh?

It is unfortunate that Bobby Bowden does not hold the same level of respect and power that Joe Paterno had over the athletic department to weather out the fan backlash from this season. He was an ambassador to the sport we all love and one of the last remaining beacons of college football alongside Joe Paterno. To force an icon of his stature out following a 6-6 season is pitiful at best and only ensures that the Seminole fan base will always be unsatisfied no matter who their next few coaches are. Their continued expectation of 11 and 12 win seasons year in and year out will only end in heartbreak.

Passing the buck and firing coaches prematurely is the new rage nowadays. It is just sad to see a program that once valued coaching stability and loyalty like Florida State join the ever growing list. And by the way, whether Florida State should vacate those 14 wins seems all too trivial now doesn’t it?

Looking back at the way Penn State responded following the 2004 season and the similarities with Florida State’s current state of affairs, I for one am glad we ended up taking the road less traveled. Bobby Bowden deserves better, and it is only a matter of time before Florida State realizes it.