Spurrier, Miles react to Tommy Bowden firing

There will be no Bowden Bowl this year. The remaining part of the matchup was philosophical about that on Monday.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden was 5-4 against his son Tommy. But Tommy won the last three, including a 2005 rout that saved his job at Clemson.

Tommy Bowden’s tenure lasted three more years: He left the program on Monday.

“He’s thankful for the experience he got there at Clemson,” Bobby Bowden told the Associated Press. “He has no hard feelings toward them. This is just the nature of this game right now. He’s disappointed, but he’s got his priorities in order in his life so he’ll move on and won’t lose a minute of sleep over it. At least I don’t have to worry about him beating me again.”

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier had his own battles with the Bowdens, and went 1-2 against Tommy. Spurrier had little to say about his instate rival’s departure after practice.

“Just surprised a little bit. But we’ve got our own problems in here that we don’t need to comment on other people’s issues,” Spurrier said.

Spurrier’s replacement at Florida, Ron Zook, was fired midway through the 2004 season, but finished the season. Bowden and Clemson decided to make it effective immediately.

“Who knows if that’s the best way of doing it,” Spurrier said.

The coach of South Carolina’s next opponent was more opinionated. LSU coach Les Miles thought the timing was poor.

“It hurts the players more than anything,” Miles told Gannett News Service. “I understand why because they want to open the gates wide and get as many applicants as they can to apply. I understand that. But I think that there should be concern for the players and for the next game. That’s what it really hurts.”

Miles’ feelings were tempered a bit by his association with Clemson athletics director Terry Don Phillips, who was Miles’ boss at Oklahoma State from 2001-02.

“He’s a good guy,” Miles said. “I’m sure he thinks he’s making a great decision for the future, and thinks it’s the right thing to do.”

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