Bowden’s Son, Terry, New Auburn Coach

Terry Bowden became part of a historic father-son team Thursday when he was hired to rebuild an Auburn football program wracked by an NCAA investigation and two consecutive disappointing seasons.

Bowden and his father, Florida State’s Bobby Bowden, are the first father-son pair to coach at major colleges, according to the NCAA. They are the sixth father-son pair to be college head football coaches.

Terry Bowden, 36, coached the last six seasons at Samford University of Birmingham, Ala., a Division I-AA school where he compiled a 46-22-1 record.

Said Bobby Bowden from Tallahassee: “I always wanted to coach at Auburn or the University of Alabama, but it never worked out. Of course, I’m totally dedicated to Florida State now, but it’s nice when one of your sons can do what you always wanted to do.”

Bowden’s oldest son, Tommy, already is the offensive coordinator at Auburn, but maybe not for long. “When you hire me, you hire the offensive coordinator,” Terry said. “I call the plays. That’s the way I was raised and that’s the way it’s been the last nine years.”