Terry Bowden responds to Florida State board member's complaint | Solomon's Wisdom - al.com
University of North Alabama coach Terry Bowden responded late Monday night about comments he made in July that the chairman of the Florida State board of trustees is now using to justify his call for Bobby Bowden to step down after this season.
"It is unfortunate that some comments I made at a University of North Alabama fundraising event, graciously attended by my father and brother Tommy almost three months ago, would be misconstrued, taken totally out of context, and used in articles printed today," Terry said in a statement released by his publicist. "Not only am I one of Jimbo Fisher's biggest fans, as he played and coached for me, but I am a proud alumnus of Florida State University and would never say anything to hurt my father's or FSU's interests."
Florida State Board of Trustees chair Jim Smith said in The Tallahassee Democrat on Monday that the school's decision to begin finalizing a five-year head coaching contract for Fisher "was driven to a great extent by some of the unfortunate comments that Terry Bowden has made in the Alabama press that we are going to magically find $5 million to pay Jimbo Fisher off so his dad can continue to coach here. ... That has hurt us in recruiting and lots of other ways."
Last July, Terry said he wanted his 79-year-old father to coach until he is 83. When asked what Florida State should do about the $5 million buyout it would owe Fisher, Bobby's designated successor, Terry responded: "Pay him. What did they (Auburn) pay Tommy Tuberville when they fired him ($5.1 million). What are they gonna pay dad when they fire him? Nothing. He's retired. I'm just saying pay him and keep going."
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