[Husker] Looks like the Bowden Era at FSU will end this year

[Nick Chevance]

On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 6:41 AM, j j <jjj112665 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> How much "coaching" is either one really doing though? Do either even wear a head set on the sideline? Do either even call a play during a game? All I ever see either do anymore is pace the sideline and yell at refs. I think both are more figure heads then anything.

While I'm surprised that there isn't more talk/anxiety/hubris about
the game on Thursday, I'll weigh in on this subject just to keep my
fingers warm.

In Bowden's case, that's certainly the impression I get when I saw FSU
on TV earlier this year.  My comment to myself at the time was
"Exactly what does that guy do down there?"  I think figurehead
probably fits him well.  On the other hand, I haven't watched much of
Penn State this year, but my impression of Paterno is that he's
actively coaching.

Not all head coaches call plays (Bo doesn't call the offense, and Carl
calls the defense pretty much on his own) because we have coordinators
for offense, defense and special teams, then we have line coaches, TE
coaches, receivers coaches, backs coaches, etc.  The head coach tends
to lead that bunch and makes decisions about when to go on 4th down,
special plays, changes in play calling, and all that.  And frankly I
don't see Bowden doing that.  It may surprise me, but it seems like
he's a well paid spectator.  But I wouldn't be surprised that Paterno
actively coaches.  And I think Paterno said something a couple of
years ago about not wearing headphones because he can't hear the game.
 But then, he was coaching before Marconi invented radio so its not
like he grew up wearing them.

Nick
-- 
“I wish I were less awkward around strangers. I never know what to say
when someone asks me who I am and what the hell I'm doing in their
house.”
Andy Ihnatko