MORGANTOWN - Bill Stewart was just a skinny, wide-eyed kid fresh out of New Martinsville when he first encountered Bobby Bowden.
Stewart, an undersized offensive lineman, hoped to win a spot on the West Virginia University football team, one that Bowden had just taken over. Freshmen were not eligible to play with the varsity in those days, and Stewart later cast his lot with NAIA power Fairmont State College when he realized that he was a bit too small to play at WVU's level.
The student is now the teacher at WVU, and Bowden is retiring from Florida State University at the conclusion of the season after being at the helm of the Seminoles since 1976.The two have been pitted against each other in the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl.
"I can only tell you how proud I am to coach against Coach Bowden," Stewart said. "I came here as a skinny little kid from high school in 1970. I was honored to be in his presence. He is one of my heroes. He is one of my idols and an icon in college football."
The Gator Bowl was where Bowden started a string of 28 consecutive post-season appearances, ironically defeating the Mountaineers 30-18. WVU, which brings a 9-3 record into the game, will be making its third straight bowl appearance under Stewart and its fourth in the Gator Bowl over the last seven seasons.
"I'm just a drop in the bucket compared to him, and everyone knows that," Stewart said. "That doesn't bother me, and I love the man. All of the accolades he gets, he deserves. I will be right up there on the podium clapping louder than anyone.
"It will tough (coaching against his former coach)," he continued. "He gets those guys ready to play. I saw it first-hand as a player here. I was only a freshman and didn't play on the varsity. I just saw how the players here loved Coach Bowden and how revered he was by his coaches and players. It will be a real challenge because they are going to want to go out with a real band for Coach Bowden."
While Gator Bowl officials hope to turn the event into a celebration of a Hall of Fame career of Bowden, Stewart knows it takes two teams to play a football game.
"I just tell our team that there is going to be a lot of passion and love for Coach Bowden, but don't forget who we are," he said. "We have a slogan here at West Virginia. We will respect all and fear none.
"I gave them another slogan last week," Stewart added. "Never trust anyone who doesn't stand to lose or gain as much as you do. It means you are going on the field with your brothers, arm in arm."
Florida State finished Bowden's final season with a 6-6 record.. Bowden, who is the second winningest coach in college football with 388 victories, will be replaced at the helm of the Seminoles by Clarksburg native Jimbo Fisher for next season.
"West Virginia and Florida State are truly among the greatest of football traditions in the nation," said Gator Bowl chairman Dan Murphy.
"The Mountaineers and the Seminoles will provide one of the most exciting and emotional games of the bowl season, and we are looking forward to welcoming both teams and their fans to Jacksonville for this great New Year's Day matchup."
