Organized Chaos

I can’t do my look at the Atlantic Coast Conference without first tackling the Florida State Seminoles.

Oh, the Seminoles. The team that long ago was the standard-bearer in the NCAA. Now they are a team basking in the muck of back-to-back 7-6 seasons.

But don’t despair, FSU faithful.

The Seminoles will have an improved offense behind an inexperienced but talented offensive line. The defense will again be strong.

The key is moving past the first three weeks, which will see several players suspended due to the academic cheating scandal that was uncovered late last year.

FSU has been fairly tight-lipped on which players will be out, but it will be obvious who’s gone once the lineups for the opener against Western Carolina released. The word is as many as six starters on defense might be out.

This won’t matter in the first two weeks, which see the Seminoles play teams no better than any area high school. I’d be shocked to see an upset, but then again you never really know.

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FSU officially announced on Monday that Jimbo Fisher will succeed Bobby Bowden as the Seminoles’ head football coach when Bobby Bowden moves on. It also was announced that Bowden has agreed to a one-year extension to coach his 33rd season at the school.

This isn’t new news, but it is official now. Details on both contracts weren’t released, but The Associated Press reported the same things as ESPN last week: That Fisher is set for a hefty buyout should he not be named the head coach.

This move had everything to do with showing recruits that there will be a guy in place when Bowden moves on. I say move on as a nice way of saying, ‘here’s to hoping he doesn’t die, or worse, while coaching.’

So Fisher is the man. But should he be?

He has no head coaching experience. Chuck Amato has way more and has been successful, yet he wasn’t in the conversation. Fisher has a great offensive mind, but being a head coach is a whole new thing.

I’m not convinced and I don’t think many FSU fans should be. But you have to deal with it.

What do you think?

ESPN’s Joe Schad and Ivan Maisel reported on Wednesday that Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has been selected to succeed Bobby Bowden as head coach.

Citing sources close to the situation, the article stated FSU will announce the move on Monday. FSU responded with a media advisory saying a press conference will be held on Monday “regarding the football program.”

You can read the ESPN story here.

This isn’t a major surprise. Anyone with half a brain knew Fisher was in line to take over when Bowden stepped down. The FSU brass was smart to lock him down now, especially with other teams clamoring for his services.

So when will this happen? I think Bowden agreeing to a one-year extension shows it will be sooner rather than later. If it’s not next season it will be withing three, and will be quicker if FSU falters in that time.

Bowden needs to be remembered as the coach who led FSU to new heights and greatness and not the old coach who hung around too long and was out of tough.

What do you think of all of this?