Bobby Bowden wants to coach FSU one more year

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Bobby Bowden plans to meet with Florida State president T.K. Wetherell later in the week to discuss his future at the school.

Bowden said Sunday that he wants to coach another year, which would be his 35th in Tallahassee, but he’s not sure whether he’ll be given the chance.

“I’ve got bosses,” Bowden said. “I’ve got people who would have to approve it.”

Bowden has 388 career wins, second only to Penn State’s Joe Paterno among major college coaches, and has continued to coach with the hope of getting Florida State back among the nation’s elite programs.

“You’d still like to get that big year,” said Bowden, who dispelled speculation that he’d return only in a figurehead role. “I’d only want to come back as the head coach.”

Mangino invesitgation continues

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the face of accusations of verbal abuse by many former players and obvious discord with athletic director Lew Perkins, Kansas coach Mark Mangino refuses to give an inch.

Mangino insists that he’s done nothing wrong and “99 percent” of his current and former players are in his corner.

Kansas’ investigation into Mangino’s treatment of players is entering its third week. Time is not on the side of those who want him out. The recruiting contact period begins today and if the Jayhawks are going to fire the second-winningest coach in their history, they had better act quickly.

Groh dismissed at Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia fired Al Groh after nine seasons at his alma mater Sunday, ending a tenure marked by his inability to beat rival Virginia Tech.

Groh’s dismissal came less than 24 hours after the Cavaliers (3-9, 2-6 ACC) lost 42-13 at home to the Hokies, finishing their worst season since they were 2-9 in 1982. It also was their eighth loss to the Hokies in Groh’s nine tries.

More

LSU assistant coach Larry Porter, who’s built a reputation for being one of the nation’s best recruiters, was named head coach at Memphis. … Eastern Illinois assistant football coach Jeff Hoover was killed in a car crash as he returned home from a playoff game against Southern Illinois. He was 41.