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Bowden Will Be A Tough Act To Follow For Fisher

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By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Replacing Bobby Bowden on the sideline is a monumental task for Jimbo Fisher, but following Bowden behind the microphone could be even more difficult.

Imagine if the promoters of the historic Led Zeppelin reunion concert in London on Monday night had asked a local garage band to come on stage following the rock giant's performance. That's sort of the challenge facing Fisher as he prepares to work the booster tour next spring with Bowden as part of Fisher's coach-in-waiting agreement.

"Is there a better person to learn from to deal with the press and to deal with boosters and people than him?" Fisher asked Monday. "I hope they let me speak in front of him and not behind him, because I don't think there would be anybody left."

Bowden's gift of gab is as legendary as his 373 career wins. He can immediately change the mood of a room with one of his famous one-liners.

Fisher, a self-professed country boy from West Virginia, is no stranger to public speaking. He made a few booster stops with Bowden last spring and spoke to the board of Seminole Boosters at a meeting in Savannah, Ga., a few months ago.

Watching Bowden interact with players, the media and fans the past year has made a big impression on Fisher.

"He doesn't realize this," Fisher said at Monday's news conference, looking toward Bowden, "but I learn more from him by accident sometimes than I have other people on purpose."

Fisher's wife, Candi, said her husband often has surprised her in recent years during speaking engagements, something he wasn't particularly good at early in his career.

"He is so much more polished than he used to be," Candi said.

As for the master of ceremonies, Bowden sees some of himself in Fisher, 42, on and off the field.

"I think there will be a lot of similarities between him and I in personality and his daring strategy," Bowden said.

To truly follow Bowden, Fisher may need to make his most daring calls at the podium.

BIG PAYDAY: FSU is close to finalizing an agreement to host UT-Chattanooga next season, which would complete the Seminoles' 2008 football schedule. FSU will pay the Mocs $450,000 to make the trip.

"To play a program of this stature, I think it's something everyone can get excited about," UT-Chattanooga athletic director Rick Hart, son of outgoing FSU AD Dave Hart, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "And I'm pretty sure that's the biggest guarantee we've ever had."

LOCAL SIGNING: Newsome High senior Kris Castellanos, who played at Bloomingdale for two seasons, is the only Bay area player in FSU's 2009 baseball signing class, announced Tuesday.

"He is a left-handed pitcher with a very good arm that can hit 90 mph," FSU assistant Jamey Shouppe said. "I expect a lot of good things from him, as he reminds me a little bit of Barry Zito, with such a good breaking ball."

NOLE NUGGETS: Former football players Terrell Buckley and William Floyd, who each played in the NFL after leaving FSU, are set to graduate Saturday, more than a decade after their college careers. Floyd is a St. Petersburg native who played at Lakewood High. ... FSU junior Mami Yamaguchi is a finalist for Soccer Buzz magazine's national Player of the Year award. Amanda DaCosta and Sanna Talonen are finalists for Freshman of the Year.

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