Texas A&M Football: Jimbo Fisher on passing of mentor Bobby Bowden

Sad news swept the college football world this weekend when it was reported that Bobby Bowden, one of the greatest coaches to ever do it, had passed away. Bowden was 91 years old and had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer earlier in the summer.

The former Florida State head coach ranked second all-time in college football wins. Bowden made an impact on everybody’s life, improving college football both on and off the field. Here’s what Florida State’s president John Thrasher said about his death.

"“On behalf of everyone at FSU, Jean and I extend our deepest condolences to Ann and the Bowden family. Coach Bowden built a football dynasty and raised the national profile of Florida State University, and he did it with class and a sense of humor.”"

Bobby Bowden was one of Jimbo Fisher’s biggest mentors and a great friend to the now-Texas A&M Football head coach

Bowden’s passing will likely hit home for a lot of Texas A&M Football fans who have kept up with Jimbo Fisher’s career, as the late head coach was one of Fisher’s role models as an up-and-coming head coach.

Fisher served as an offensive coordinator under Bowden for three years at Florida State, where he would eventually become Bowden’s successor. Fisher clearly learned a lot from his mentor, as he would win a national championship just a few years later. Fisher spoke about Bowden’s passing at a press conference.

Here’s how he kicked it off.

"“Keep the Bowden family in your prayers. We lost a great man in coach Bobby Bowden today and he meant so many things to so many people. He meant a ton to me — and not only when I was coaching with him — when I was learning to be a coach and being around him at different times with his family.”"

Clearly, it was difficult for Fisher to speak about Bowden, who is one of Fisher’s closest coaching friends. Fisher had no shortage of kind words to say about his former mentor, continuing by calling him one of the greatest people that he has ever worked with.

"“As fine a gentleman and coach that has ever walked a sideline.”"