Steve Spurrier backs Bobby Bowden when it comes to vacating victories.
Spurrier said Sunday that Bowden and the Seminoles should not have to give up 14 victories as part of the NCAA penalties because of an academic cheating scandal at Florida State.
Spurrier also said Florida State’s track team should not lose its NCAA championships that took place during the time in question.
“Yeah, I think (football) should get the wins and the track team should get the championship,” Spurrier said.
When Spurrier was Florida’s football coach, he would needle Bowden and the Seminoles when he could. Spurrier called the school “Free Shoes University” in 1994, when Bowden had to deal with a scandal involving his players and Foot Locker.
This time, though, Spurrier thought the NCAA’s proposed penalties were too severe.
“It was something that none of the coaches were involved with and just a few of the players in the classroom,” Spurrier said. “So yeah, hopefully . . . I think the penalty was way too severe.”
Bowden has 382 wins, one shy of Penn State coach Joe Paterno for the major-college lead. Losing that many victories would all but end Bowden’s chances of overtaking the Nittany Lions coach.
Meanwhile, at Florida State’s annual media day, Bowden said he believes the Seminoles are rebuilt and ready to win another national championship.
He has two years to deliver before his successor-in-waiting, Jimbo Fisher, takes over.
“Definitely, I want to win a national championship again,” Bowden said. “I wish I could leave here on top.”
The Associated Press
