Bowdens, Nepotism Rule Questioned

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) â€” Florida State coach Bobby Bowden wants to promote his youngest son to offensive coordinator, but the school's president says it could violate the university's nepotism

Friday, January 26th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) â€” Florida State coach Bobby Bowden wants to promote his youngest son to offensive coordinator, but the school's president says it could violate the university's nepotism rule.

Bowden brought Jeff Bowden onto the staff in 1994 as receivers coach, but the nepotism concern was avoided because the younger Bowden reported to offensive coordinator Mark Richt.

When Richt left earlier this month to become coach at Georgia, the Seminoles hired a new quarterback coach and Bowden wanted his son to become the coordinator.

Bobby Bowden was out of town Thursday on a recruiting visit and not available to comment.

The university policy states: ``Employment of relatives within a single organizational unit is discouraged, except when it becomes necessary because of shortage of qualified personnel.''

Florida State President Sandy D'Alemberte has never waived the policy since becoming president in January 1994.

``Are you in a position of evaluating for salary purposes or performance of a husband or wife or son or daughter?'' asked D'Alemberte. ``We've tried to stay away from that.''

Athletic director Dave Hart has already met with D'Alemberte several times on the subject. Bobby Bowden plans to meet with them in the next few days.

``Then he (D'Alemberte) will have to make a decision,'' Hart said.