Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews to make an annoucement Tuesday?

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, who has strongly hinted that he would retire after this season, said he'd "probably do something" to address his future Tuesday.

Andrews, 68, nearly left after the 2008 season but chose to return and in early August said this very well could be his swansong. His wife Diane was less coy in a story late last week, saying that her husband likely would be calling it a career after 26 seasons at FSU.

For his part, FSU coach Bobby Bowden said on Sunday that he was "still hoping Mickey will stay around" another season, but he admitted he didn't know if there was much of a chance of that happening.

Although the Seminoles' defense has struggled like never before in Andrews' tenure, ranking 109th in Division I-A (allowing an average of 428.88 yards), Bowden praised Andrews for his body of work.

"Mickey deserves as much of the (credit for the) success as anybody," he said. "His great defenses are what really made the difference. There's a lot of good offensive teams in the country, but teams that play defense consistently are probably the ones that keep winning."

If Andrews does leave, the question will arise concerning whether Bowden or his anointed heir, Jimbo Fisher, will make the next hire. Bowden didn't want to go into detail, but did say Fisher's wishes would have to be considered "because he's the future." Fisher's contract calls for him to be offered the top job by January 2011 or he is owed $5 million.

Fisher said on Monday that he was unaware of Andrews' plans to make an announcement about his future, but if Andrews does say he's retiring after this season, he and Bowden would sit down and discuss the next move.

"We'll all make an intelligent decision on the future and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said. "I'm glad to have the input in where we're going in the future and what we're going to do."

Comments

[John P]

Even though this is a rotten season, Andrews deserves some strong applause for the outrageously good defenses FSU used to field. His time has come, and I'm glad to see him leaving on his own terms.

[FSU had sick D]

Dont forget our D won 2 titles and top 4 - 14 years in a row. played for 5 title games.

[terminator]

hopefully Bobby will make an announcement too (that he will be joining Mickey in retiring THIS year).
Yes, Mickey had great defenses down through the years but our team has been on a steady slide for about 8 years. The game has passed them by and their old schemes don't fool younger coaches.
This year's D is absolutely horrific. you could put eleven cardboard cut-outs out there who would do as good of a job.
Clemson and Wake will kick the Noles behinds good. We'll probably beat a pretty bad Maryland crew then I shudder to think how many points Tim Tebow and the Gators will hang on Mickey's listless defense (65) I'm predicting.
This should be just enough to point Bobby and Mickey to that exit door stage left and we can regain some dignity and respect next season not suffer through a Bobby Bowden reunion tour!

[Dick Weed]

Not sure about your assessment of Wake, termie.

Yes, Bowden need to join Mickey in the ole rockin chair. FSU has paid the Bowden family (not just BB) millions and millions to the point of absurdity. It's not the school's fault Bowden made some incredibly bad investments over the years.