Bobby Bowden

Date of Birth: November 8, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: August 8, 2021

Biography

Robert Cleckler Bowden, widely known as Bobby Bowden, was a legendary American college football coach. He was born on November 8, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama. Bowden is best known for his tenure as the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, a position he held from 1976 to 2009. Under his leadership, the Seminoles became one of the most dominant teams in college football, winning two national championships (1993 and 1999) and consistently finishing in the top five of the Associated Press College Football Poll for 14 consecutive seasons (1987–2000). Bowden’s coaching career began in 1954 at Howard College (now Samford University) as an assistant coach. He later served as the head coach at South Georgia College, Howard College, and West Virginia University before taking the helm at Florida State. Bowden’s charismatic personality and strategic acumen not only brought success on the field but also endeared him to fans, players, and colleagues alike. Beyond football, Bowden was known for his deep Christian faith and his commitment to mentoring young athletes. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

5 Interesting Facts about Bobby Bowden

1. Bobby Bowden is one of only two coaches in Division I-A football history to have amassed 300 wins, finishing his career with 377 victories.

2. He led the Seminoles to 12 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships after Florida State joined the conference in 1991.

3. Bowden was known for his “trick plays,” which often caught opponents off guard and became a hallmark of his coaching style.

4. He was an accomplished author, having written several books, including his autobiography, “Called to Coach.”

5. Bowden received the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 1980 and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award in 1991.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bobby Bowden

1. “I’ve always said I could make a good living coaching kids, but I make a great living coaching their parents.”

2. “If somebody mistreats you, treat ’em good. That kills ’em.”

3. “Discipline to me is sacrifice; it’s willingness to give up something you want to do, so you can better yourself.”

4. “The greatest mistake a coach can make is to let losing become more important than winning.”

5. “Don’t go to the grave with life unused.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Bobby Bowden’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $14 million.

Children

Bobby Bowden and his wife, Ann Estock, had six children: 1. Steve Bowden 2. Terry Bowden, who is also a renowned football coach 3. Tommy Bowden, who served as the head coach at Clemson University 4. Jeff Bowden, who worked as an assistant coach at several institutions 5. Robyn Hines 6. Ginger Madden