ESPN's Mark Schlabach is reporting that the rumors that Bowden may retire have all but been confirmed. The school will issue a statement announcing the retirement sometime Tuesday morning
Digital Journal's own Michael Bearak reported a few days ago that Bowden was contemplating retirement and
ESPN is reporting that Bowden and the school have reached an agreement that Bowden will step down.
This news comes just a day after Bowden had announced that he wanted to return for the 2010 season. Mark Schlabach is reporting that Bowden was told by the School's athletic director that he could retire after their bowl game this season, or would be given only one more year, and the deadline was enough to push Bowden out the door.
Head coach in waiting Jimbo Fischer has reportedly already agreed to a new contract to be the new man at Florida State this morning and will begin putting together his staff after the bowl game.
Bowden was at Florida State for 34 years and compiled a 315-97-4 with the Seminoles where he turned a sad sack program into one of the elite football powerhouses in the country for decades.
Bowden began his head coaching career at Howard University where he compiled a 31-6 record over his four years there, before moving to West Virginia, where he spent six seasons going 42-26. In 1976 Bowden was hired at Florida State and after going 5-6 in his first season, posted a 10-2 record in his second.
Should his team lose their bowl game, it would mark Bowden's first losing record in over 30 years.
