Called to Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football

by Bobby Bowden, Mark Schlabach, Tony Dungy (Foreword)

Coach Bobby Bowden is an icon of college football who ran his legendary, top-ranking program with a trademark southern charm. With his recent retirement, Bowden is ready to give fans and readers the behind-the-scenes story of his 55-year career and the path that helped him become one of college football's most successful coaches and patriarch of the sport's most famous coaching family.

In this book, Bowden will reveal never-before-published details of the moments and events that have defined his life,

* The tragic death of his grandson and son-in-law in a 2004 automobile accident.

* The details of his retirement as FSU's coach at the end of the 2009 season.

Genres: Sports, Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Religion

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2010

About the author

Robert Cleckler Bowden was an American football coach.
He is best known for coaching the Florida State Seminoles football team from 1976 to 2009.

During his time at Florida State, Bowden led FSU to an Associated Press and Coaches Poll National Title in 1993 and a BCS National Championship in 1999, as well as twelve Atlantic Coast Conference championships once FSU joined the conference in 1991. Bowden's Seminoles finished as an AP top-5 team for 14 consecutive seasons, setting a record that doubled the closest program.

Reviews

[Jeff Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I am a huge fan of college football in the South and this book is a treasure trove of history concerning southern college football. Coach Bowden's faith makes up a huge portion of his life and of course this book as well. This book reads like a vibrant personal testimony of faith interspersed into the history of college football in the South. If you are interested in any of these, I highly recommend taking the time to read it.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps I am biased, but I LOVE Bobby Bowden! This book was a reminder why. He's such a caring and kind soul who has touched so many lives. While preachy at times, the book illustrated why he was so compelled to coach and what he feels his purpose was and still is. I was amazed at what he has been through over the years and he addressed his decisions at various points in his career. Right away he addressed being asked to step down as the head coach for FSU and I certainly walked away with a bad taste in my mouth, especially after reading and learning how much he did for FSU's football program. I enjoyed learning about the early years of FSU's football program and about all the players he came in contact with. There was so much I was unaware of. This book made me yearn for the beginning of college football season but also gave me much more pride for where I've come from. I'm proud to be a Seminole and certainly proud that Bobby was coach for many of the years I called FSU home! I recommend this book if you love college football!

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It actually took me a while to get through this book, not that it's hard reading, it may just be that auto-bio's aren't my thing. Being a Florida State Seminole fan my entire life I did find it fascinating to go through the life of one of my childhood idols and just a plain ole good man! I obviously enjoyed reading through FSU's glory years and hearing Bobby's side of the ending to his career there. I did feel though however, much like Tim Tebow's book, there were many times it felt like I was being preached at and just felt awkward reading it... and I'm a Pastor. Overall an interesting read if you're into college football or just want to know about one of sports greatest coaches. I think I'll stick to fiction from here on out.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an autobiography primarily dealing with Bobby Bowden's career but with a touch of his early life. I thought it was very good but I would probably be unable to successfully defend myself from a charge of bias since I have been a Florida State Seminoles and Bobby Bowden fan since I moved to Florida in 1968.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta love Bobby. Pretty neat stories revealing how he grew up, his work ethic, his love for God and people, and how his faith has driven him his whole life. Cool how many connections exist within the coaching/player fraternity. A bit too much detail on numerous football games, but it's a "dadgum" good read.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Coach Bowden even more than before! I respect him as a coach, a Christian, and a human being.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

the definition of intgrity is what you do and how you act when no one is looking.

[Colton Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Called to Coach is a novel that focuses on the life of one of the most iconic coaches of all time in Bobby Bowden. The legendary coach’s life is explored in this novel and his many stories of his coaching career are shown here. The novel’s plot is simply one that is about Bobby’s life as throughout it Bobby is explaining how he was only able to reach the success that he had through his faith. With Bobby being one of the most famous and infamous coaches in all of college football history, the novel focuses on his many accomplishments of how he was able to lead programs that weren’t much of anything into a powerhouse that was built to last under his coaching and his influence. Another important part of the overall plot was how even through the hardships of coaching left a hard impact on him he always had his family to fall back on which is what allowed for Bobby to become such a famous figure in collegiate football.
For me I thought that this book was an excellent read as I am a huge college football fan in general and this novel brought back many memories and stories that I was told and watched from the moment that I became a fan of college football. The Bowden family is one that sticks out to any college football fan especially Clemson fans as Bobby’s son Tommy was the head coach at Clemson from 1999 to 2008. This novel was one that anybody could enjoy as the simple basis of the book is one that anybody can relate to as Bobby is the prime example of the person that has earned everything that he has received. If anybody is looking for motivation or is going through something difficult this novel is the one that they could refer to as it shows why determination and dedication is worth the effort as in the long run it will pay off for the better. Taking the college football bias away though this a beautifully written novel as the way that Bobby’s life is described and his best and worst instances as a coach are explored allow for the reader to see the side of Bobby Bowden that wasn’t seen much which was his family side and one that was focused primarily on family as it was his faith and family that carried him through. Since this novel was written Bobby has passed away but his relevance and importance to college football and everybody in the United States is one that won’t be going away anytime soon if ever. As a Clemson Tiger this was a novel that wasn’t supposed to be a favorite for me by football standards as Bobby would always beat us but this was truly a novel that everybody needs to read regardless of loyalty as his impact on this world and his leadership shouldn’t and never will be forgotten.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The past five books have all related to football or strength and conditioning but really each touched of faith. The most recent was a bibliography on Coach Bobby Bowden, "Called to Coach". His life and journey, both good and bad but also how Faith played a major role in life and football. It's a journey of his life from youth through retirement. After reading this book it's not about football but the impact of his faith on the men he and his staffed coached. Love him or hate him he ran one of the cleanest programs in football. He does talk about two scandals that did affect FSU football. In both cases it had nothing to do with the staff. One, two players were caught accepting favors. Both were suspended but one was kicked off the team. In the other, a number of athletes, Football and other sports were caught cheating on an exam. All were suspended by the school but the NCAA hit the program with a year probation. Near the end of his career a tragic accident took the life of his Grandson and son-in-law. He talks about how Faith help him in the low period of his family's life.

[Noah Klick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good coaching book that reflects on the life of a college football legend. He tried to do everything the right way, and reflected on his calling from God throughout the book. He loved what he did and that's what led him to coach for 44 freakin years! He lived a good life and he was really proud of his sons, who also became coaches and even coached against him in some big games, which was cool. The most interesting part of the book is his connection to Marshall University and the tragedy they suffered in the 1970 plane crash that killed most of their players and staff. Bowden was the original candidate to take the job coaching at Marshall a few years prior but choose to become head coach at West Virginia (a rival in the same state). Following the crash Bowden was known for being a huge assistance to new Marshall coach Jack Lengyel who was tasked at rebuilding a program following the tragedy. He is shown in my favorite football movie "We Are Marshall" and I never knew that all these years later.

[Brad Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I hate Florida State. (Go Clemson Tigers.) Second off, I never had a problem with Bobby Bowden. But this book was a little disappointing for me. Bobby is not as funny and pithy as he came across in real life (Maybe this is a faulty attribution, but I remember him saying, when asked about the execution of his offensive line in a certain game, that he was in favor of it. Hilarious. Also, the years and games seemed endless and as a none fan, didn't mean much to me. I appreciate his Christian faith, but felt there were too many cliches regarding it.

[James Greening · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a strong book about a great coach. I would have liked to read more about his coaching strategies and how exactly he put his philosophy into action on the field, but the historical context was wonderful and his "humanity" bled through the pages.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Schlabach did a nice job writing this hagiography for Bowden.

[Chase Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight on Bobby Bowden’s coaching career and life.

[Austin Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a class act man. Anybody looking to learn something from a man who had his priorities straight when it came to their faith, family, and occupation this is the book

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
-
Great book! Very cool to go thru Bobby’s career and life. There are lots of numbers and stats that got confusing after a while but I just started skimming thru them and was okay

[Austin Balen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting to meet Coach Bowden in person and sitting down to talk with him this past fall it is obvious that he writes just as well as he talks. One of the things that makes a good biography - especially a successful coaches biography - is feeling as if you are able to see into the mind of what the writer is thinking as well as their philosophies. I will admit it was a little preachy sometimes, but his religious connection is something that is very important to him and his coaching style as well as playing into how he coaches and leads children. The one thing I wish was added was his sense of humor - in the 2 hours I spent close by as well as his speech he gave to the University, he has a great sense of humor that he uses often and I wish it was portrayed more through this book. Overall I really enjoyed it and it was a very fast read - read the intro. in October, and picked it up for the first time since then, finished it in 2 days of reading. Four Stars.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is full of sports platitudes. I found it somwhat interesting. Bowden began the book by talking about his firing. He said the next day began like every other day in his 61 year marriage. He got up and made coffe then his wife joined him for an hour of reading through the Bible then a time of prayer. He constantly affirmed throught the book that his career was a team of both he and his wife. She went with him on ever job interview and concurred on each change. I like it when men include their wives in their lives. Two important statements are: "A man's reputation is what others say of him; a man's character is what God knows about." "I have always known that there were unseen eyes watching me."

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will preface this review by stating that I am a college football fanatic as well as a bibliophile. Next to reading a good book, I absolutely enjoy being at or watching a college football game. (Actually, the vice versa is perhaps true, but I am writing this to a bunch of book lovers, not sports fanatics.) This is a very easy read about a man I truly admire. He blends in his strong faith with his love of football and teaching young men values beyond sports. I particularly enjoyed reading about how Bobby Bowden was interested in giving his players second chances when they made mistakes. These kids often came from very difficult circumstances and, often, didn't handle success in college sports well in life away from the football field. I truly enjoyed reading this fine book.

[Robert Galloway · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an autobiography by one of the greatest college football coaches of all time: Bobby Bowden. Growing up in Alabama Bobby learned to love football but then he wasn't allowed to play the sport he loved because he was very sick. So sick that he didn't leave his house for over a year. Bobby made a promise to God saying if He will heal himself then he will work hard to always do it in His name. God played a big role in Bobby's career and always steered him in the right direction.


This book is a very good book about football and God. Something that Bobby did was describe how whenever he was lost God would help him. He believe some people have a calling to help people and he believes that his was to be a football coach and help kids go to god

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Boby Bowden fan, so this was a very good book. I like him even better now. Things I especially like are his Southernness (Alabama), total commitment to God's call to coach, love for his wife and constant involvement of her in his decisions, pride in his family, honesty and openness with his life, loyalty to his schools and coaching staff, genuine care for his players
(most of which I would find annoying). He really saw himself as an evangelist. He considered his team meetings as devotional times. Plus -- the book was very well written, chronological yet categorical.

[Derek Bycraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a good ol' southern man looking back on his life. Bobby Bowden is such a great man, and to read his story as told by himself is just great. He makes everything sound so modest even though anyone who knows about Bobby Bowden knows how successful he was. Coach Bowden, as known to the general football fan, was undoubtedly one of the best there ever was. Bobby Bowden, the man, is even greater than the coach. This book is very real and honest, and very inspiring to see how a man lived by his faith and succeeded in life.

[Danny Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring read. In this book Coach Bowden takes the reader through almost every season he coached. The thing that stands out is along the way, he never lost his faith. You also can sense just how much this man loved all his players through the years. As a big time FSU fan I was very upset they did let him leave on his own terms. But as Coach Bowden says, "it just wasn't Gods plan for him". The biggest thing I got from this book is that if you put others before yourself, the return you get will be amazing.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Called To Coach: Reflections on Life, Faith, and Football by Bobby Bowden (Howard Books 2010)(Biography). Bobby Bowden - what a great guy! That's apparently all that anybody has to say about him. He's my mom's favorite sports figure! My rating: 5/10, finished 1/26/11.

[Joe Drape · Rating 4 out of 5]

The secret to Bobby Bowden as an iconic coach was the fact he liked people, especially kids. In this uplifting volume, Bowden makes this abundantly clear with his trademark good humor.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

His faith and work ethic come through. Little dry reading a recap of every season. Wish there would've been more moments of the human interest. What a career Bobby!

[Tom Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for any FSU fan who wants to revel in Bobby's recounting of his life, his faith, and his coaching. The man is a prince!

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing unexpected or profound; no x's and o's. A few enjoyable anecdotes. Probably a "should read" if you are a college football fan. A "must read" if you went to FSU.

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far so great!!!