Bobby Bowden, iconic head coach of the Florida State University Seminoles football team, announced that will step down from his head coaching job after this season’s bowl game.

Bowden joined FSU’s football program in 1976 and turned the moribund Seminoles into a college football dynasty. He has 2 national championships, 20 bowl victories, and 315 wins under his belt, rivaling other legendary college coaches such as Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno.

The rivalry between the Seminoles and the University of Miami Hurricanes is equally legendary; while it’s not quite as intense as the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, it is no less fierce. The rivalry currently sees Miami at the top, 31-23.

Doubtless that losses to the Hurricanes so heartbreaking that the games have received their own names–Wide Right I, Wide Right II, Wide Right III, Wide Left I, and Wide Right IV, all lost by a field goal–will haunt Bowden’s dreams until the end of his days.

Even though I rooted against the ‘Noles, Bowden was nonetheless a legend on the gridiron and worthy of great respect. I hope his retirement is a long and happy one.