Is It Time For Bobby Bowden To Leave College Football

The sharks are circling in Tallahassee and some would even say that there is blood in the water.  You have probably read or heard about it on mulitple occasions.  But it does beg the question:  When is it time for a legend to step down?  We see it with coaches, players, even celebrities.  Brett Favre, Joe Paterno, and we could name many more.  But what is the answer?This, to me, is a tough question for football players, coaches, and especially fans.   Look at the example of Joe Paterno.  A couple of years ago,  Penn State followers were calling for Paterno to step down.  And while the program was struggling, many claimed that there were deeper problems than just a head coach possibly having stayed past his prime.  And look at last year with Favre’s atttempted comeback with the Jets.  Many thought he proved the point that he should have stayed retired.

Now both Paterno and Favre are enjoying revived success, I ask myself the question, when is it time for a player or coach to step down?  And should coaches like Bowden and Paterno be left to choose the time or should they be fired when others decide that it’s time?   Like a lot of issues in college and pro footbal, it’s primarily a question of  opinion, but I’m going to give you mine.

I think there is responsibility on each side.  In the cases of coaches like Paterno and Bowden, I believe that these guys have firmly established themselves as legends in the game of college football.  And as such, I believe that they have earned the right to step down with grace and dignity when they are ready.  They should not be forced to leave or have their arms twisted by the “power alum” groups.

But I also believe that, as legends, they also owe it to their programs and the legions of college football fans who follow those programs to not hang on too long.  I think that they should talk to those trusted advisors, whoever they are, around them and not let ego convince them that they can still do it, no matter how hard it may be to leave the job and the sport that you love.

You may think that I’ve copped out on this issue, but let me add one thing to this equation that may convince you differently.  Take Mark Richt at The University of Georgia as an example of a coach with challenges.  I am a UGA graduate and a big Georgia fan.  And I  love what Richt has done with the Dawgs.  But I also believe that if he can’t get a handle on the issues with his players and his coordinators, then it may be time for him to go.  He, unlike Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden, doesn’t qualify for that status of “legend”.   I think that right now, they are the only two football coaches in the country that do.

So, my opinion is to give Bowden the chance to realize when it’s time and to do it himself.  And Coach,  to you I say, look hard within yourself, talk to those you trust, and make the right decision.