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With Andrews set to leave FSU, can Bowden be far behind?

Associated Press file photo

Andrews built the defense that kept FSU ranked in the top five for 14 years in a row.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2009

Updated: 11/04/2009 10:39 am

It was widely expected that Mickey Andrews would retire after this season, his 26th as defensive coordinator at Florida State, and that growling, grumpy, wonderful ol' bear of a man made it official Tuesday. Not a soul could be surprised.

The man who built the defense that kept FSU ranked in the top five for an incredible 14 years in a row will leave Bobby Bowden's side at the end of this season. The legacy Andrews leaves behind is immense, and his departure does more than just create the need for a new coach. It sets events in motion that will define the future for Seminoles football - and maybe for Bowden, too.

Bowden remains the head coach at FSU with no immediate plans to leave. Indeed, Bowden seems to me more determined than ever to leave only when he's dadgum good and ready. So if Bowden comes back next year - and I'm guessing he still has enough clout to do that if he really wants to push it - then who hires the new coordinator?

The company line is that Bowden and his designated successor, Jimbo Fisher, will work together to fill the position. What's probably closer to the truth is that Fisher will have 99 percent of the say because he'll have to work with this man long after Bowden joins Andrews in retirement - whenever that is.

The new coordinator will probably want to hire the defensive staff. That doesn't bode well for longtime Bowden loyalists such as defensive assistant Chuck Amato, among others. So now you've got a coordinator directly tied to Fisher while those with the deepest attachments to Bowden - such as Amato and Andrews - leave the program.

Where does that leave Bowden?

It makes him basically the CEO emeritus of the Seminoles, even if he keeps walking the sideline with the title of head coach. More than ever this will be Fisher's show. As considerate and understanding as FSU might want to be with Bowden, delaying the inevitable doesn't make much sense at this point. There can only be one boss.

FSU needs clarity and direction, especially with the Gators winning national championships and pulling in the pick of the recruiting crop each year.

You can't tell me that the uncertainty surrounding the future direction of FSU's program hasn't been a major factor in Florida's increasing dominance.

I keep going back to the events of a few weeks ago, when Jim Smith - former Florida secretary of state and someone whose blood couldn't run a deeper shade of garnet - went public with his belief that Bowden needs to retire after this season. A guy like Smith is too savvy to shoot wildly from the lip, so read into that what you will.

FSU President T.K. Wetherell came out a couple of days later with a carefully worded statement that made no promises about Bowden's future, other than the football program would be evaluated at the end of this season. It said that a contract is being worked out for Fisher to become the head coach eventually.

And it also said this: "Specifically, I also know that Bobby Bowden loves this university. I have talked with him at length, and I know that he will do the right thing, as he always has done."

What is that "right thing?" That says to me that FSU wants to be graceful with its legendary coach and wants to give him the respect his accomplishments would demand. But it also seemed to be a clear message to Bowden to please not fight the change that is coming.

Bowden admitted he tried to talk Andrews into staying at least one more year, but Andrews, 68, decided he has had enough.

"For 47 years it's been about me," Andrews said. "Now it's time to be about us - my family."

Bowden has been the heart of the program at FSU, but Mickey Andrews has been its soul. With all the wins, the success, the championships, this is more than just change. It's closer to the end of an era.

Bowden probably could stay on even without his sidekick, but it's hard to imagine why he would want to.

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