College Football
Monday, January 10
Bowden closing on coaching record
ESPN.com news services

NEW ORLEANS -- Bobby Bowden expects the dynasty to continue at Florida State.

"You can bet your life we'll be striving to get back," Bowden said Wednesday upon receiving his second national championship trophy in six years. "We'll have a good nucleus."

Tommy Polley
Tommy Polley suffered a knee injury in the Sugar Bowl, but is expected back.

Bowden has had the Seminoles in the middle of the national title picture for 13 straight seasons and he expects to be there again next season. During that span, the Seminoles have won 141 games and are 88-9-1 since 1992, an average of 11 wins a year.

And with 304 career victories, Bowden is closing in on Bear Bryant's total of 323 victories.

At 70, Bowden thinks he's a better coach than ever and he doesn't plan to do anything else for several more years.

"I still get just as excited as when I coached in junior college more than 40 years ago," he said. "And the paycheck ain't bad."

But for now, Bowden has an immediate concern. Longtime assistant Chuck Amato is leaving for North Carolina State, his alma mater. Bowden depended greatly on his longtime assistants like Amato, who has been with him for 18 years.

Quarterback Chris Weinke, who will return for his senior year, will benefit from what might be Florida's State's most talented group of offensive linemen. Tackles Tarlos Thomas and Brett Williams, who kept Virginia Tech's defensive ends away from Weinke all game in the Sugar Bowl, are both back.

"They did a great job," Bowden said. "You have to mention them."

Virginia Tech's Corey Moore didn't get close to Weinke all game while John Engelberger managed one sack.

Running backs Travis Minor and Jeff Chaney return along with top prospect Nick Maddox. A bevy of talented underclassmen are waiting their turn at wide receiver where Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans have stood out.

"We've got another great player there, maybe more," receivers coach Jeff Bowden said.

Tackles Corey Simon and Jerry Johnson will be off to the NFL, but linebackers Brian Allen, Tommy Polley and Bradley Jennings will be at the core of what should again be a very good defense. Ends Jamal Reynolds, David Warren and Roland Seymour are all juniors.

All-American kicker Sebastian Janikowski will leave early for the NFL.

"Janikowski is a big loss," Bowden said. "He was about as valuable a player as we had."

Chris Hope is back at safety, along with cornerbacks Tay Cody and Clevan Thomas and punter Keith Cottrell.

And most importantly, Bowden comes back for his silver anniversary at Florida State.

ESPN.com: Help | Ad Info | Contact | Tools | Site Map
Copyright ©1999 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy are applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities at ESPN.com.


Weinke will return to Florida State for senior year

Harig: No quit in Bowden

Chanting, chopping crowd welcomes national champs

Sweet perfection: Florida State wins Sugar Bowl

Frozen moment: Warrick saves best for last

Warrick's redemption as sweet as Sugar

Weinke gets it done, no doubt about it

Nokia Sugar Bowl

ESPN NETWORK: ABC Sports | Fantasy | Store | Insider
.