Coaches at Crossroads of Careers

There is a reason ESPN picked the game between the University of North Carolina and Florida State to be its national game of the week Thursday. It looked like a battle between two of the nation's all-time great coaches and that is what it turned out to be. It was also a battle of two coaches in similar situations. Times are  different now for Bobby Bowden and  Butch Davis. Now, one is trying to hang on to a hall of fame-like legacy, and the other is trying to figure out where his career is going.

 One would never have thought the words fire and Bobby Bowden would have been in the same sentence. He has, after all, won more games than any other coach in college football history. Still, some in Atlantic Coast Conference circles are saying it is time to make a change. Funny how sitting in last place changes people’s perspective.

There are a lot of absurd things that seem to surface in the world of sports from time to time, but none more so than the idea of firing Bobby Bowden.

There is likely no one in Florida with the fortitude to pull that off. Last place this year doesn't replace years of first place finishes and national championship games. Seeing teams ahead of them this year doesn’t change the fact his rear view mirror has been full almost every year he has been in the league. Coach Bowden should stay as long as he wants.

Then there is the case of North Carolina’s Butch Davis. When he came to

Chapel Hill, there were some, including me, who thought the football program would soon be on the same level as Roy Williams' Tar Heel basketball dynasty. Bowl championship competition seemed to be on the horizon. So successful at Miami, and with pro experience, Coach Davis seemed to be in another class of coach from previous leaders.

It just hasn't worked out that way. The team has been respectable, and pretty good at times. Last night they showed that in the first three quarters until the defense fell apart. On many days Coach Davis has struggled to establish his identity in Kenan Stadium and his future is, like Bowden's, a little murky.

Last night was important for both coaches.  For Coach Bowden it was basically a no win situation. If the Seminoles won, the critics will say they were supposed to and the coach won't receive a lot of credit for it.

Coach Davis had something to gain. Beating Florida State is an accomplishment, on any day, no matter what kind of year they are having. Tarheel fans are faithful ones and will give their team another chance.

The game of the week was a great one but it was not between two teams in the bowl championship hunt. It was instead one with two great coaches at a crossroads of  their careers  in very disappointing seasons.