Georgia Bulldogs coaches Kirby Smart, Mark Richt Praise Legacy of Bobby Bowden
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ATHENS - Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart praised former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden Sunday morning for his life in coaching.
Smart, who grew up less than an hour from Florida State, saw the success and influence on Bowden’s Seminoles during his youth. Smart signed with Georgia in the early 1990s out of Bainbridge High School.
“Rest In Peace, Coach Bowden,” Smart said on social media. “I am so thankful for the influence he’s had on me and so many other coaches. What a tremendous legacy! Prayers go out to the entire Bowden family.”
Smart was a graduate assistant under Bowden from 2002 to 2003.
Bowden’s legacy included two national titles and hundreds of wins. Bowden’s most notable influence at Georgia was his close relationship to former Georgia coach Mark Richt, who was the Bulldogs’ coach for 15 years - coming off a successful run at Florida State as the offensive coordinator for Bowden in the 1990s.
Richt told the Athens Banner-Herald that Bowden was at peace as he entered the sunset of his life.
“He knows where he’s going,” Richt said. “He has that faith and peace because of it. I want him to live to 120...But he’s at peace because he knows his eternal destiny.”
On Sunday Richt praised Bowden:
“Prayers for Ann and the Bowden family! Much love and respect and thankfulness for Coach’s influence on my life!!” Richt said on social media.
Richt started working with Bowden in the mid 1980s. He left for another coaching job before returning to FSU in 1990 to coach quarterbacks. He took over as offensive coordinator in 1994.
“I love Coach Bowden. I think everybody knows I love him. He led me to Christ...I'm eternally grateful to him..." Richt told the Tallahassee Democrat in July. “I know he’s at peace, and I know why.”
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