Florida State Doubles Bowden's Salary

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden has agreed to terms of a lifetime contract that will double his salary to more than $600,000 a year, according to his agent and university officials.

The contract makes Bowden the highest-paid collegiate coach in the state and one of the best-compensated in the nation, interim Athletic Director Bob Goin said yesterday. Bowden had been earning about $300,000.

The agreement ends rumors that Bowden might consider leaving Florida State for another coaching job, such as that at Alabama should coach Bill Curry accept a job offer from Kentucky.

``We have an agreement on a contract,'' said Richard Woods, a lawyer from Mobile, Ala., who represents Bowden and others such as two-sport star Bo Jackson. ``I called coach Bowden. He was extremely excited and gave me the authorization to accept the contract.''

Bowden, in Miami recruiting, said he never intended to leave Florida State.

``I'm happy where I am, I love Florida State,'' said Bowden, 60. ``And we have some things left to accomplish here. Besides, Alabama would be crazy to come after me, especially at my age.''

Bowden has a 122-40-3 record in 14 years of coaching the Seminoles, including Monday's 41-17 victory over Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl. Florida State wound up No. 3 in this year's final Associated Press poll, still boasting of a decisive victory in October over national champion Miami.

In 24 years of coaching, Bowden's record is 195-72-3.

The contract is actually for seven years including rollovers, but Goin termed it a ``lifetime'' agreement because of Bowden's age and because of extension provisions once the coach turns 68.

Richard Woods, a lawyer from Mobile, Ala., who represents Bowden and others such as two-sport star Bo Jackson said the contract pays Bowden a base salary of $130,000, $200,000 for a radio and television show and a $200,000 loan that does not have to be repaid if Bowden stays at Florida State for five years.

The agreement also includes income from life insurance, annuities and other sources that will boost Bowden's annual income to $600,000. A retirement annuity was added that could reach $1 million, and graduation incentive clauses also may be included.

Notre Dame's Lou Holtz, with a salary estimated at about $750,000 a year, is reportedly the highest-paid college football coach in the country.

McCants to start flood

-- The National Football League is waiting for the flood to start rising this week with the rumor in pro circles that Alabama linebacker Keith McCants will be the first to jump ship.

``McCants is going to announce that he's coming out of college this week,'' said a top player agent. ``The decision has been made.''

McCants is only a junior, but he is rated by most pro scouts as the best football player in the land. The Atlanta Falcons, who hold the first pick in the draft, reportedly are ready to talk to his agent as soon as the announcement is official.

``On our list right now, we have more than 30 juniors listed as ready to come out into the draft,'' said one of the personnel men in the league. ``Once McCants goes public, they'll all start making announcements.''

Neither the college coaches nor the NFL wants anything to do with college players leaving before their eligibility is up, and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue wants to put a stop to it.

According to sources, Tagliabue has a secret meeting lined up with NCAA Executive Director Dick Schultz sometime in the next two weeks.

Tagliabue wants to talk with Schultz about joining forces to ask Congress to enact a law that would stop college players from leaving school prematurely. He also would like the two to take a test case to court to see if they can do anything to stop the apparent flood.

Notes

-- Two Canadians have been selected to play in the East-West Shrine game Jan. 21 at Stanford Stadium. Offensive lineman Chris Gioskos of the University of Ottawa has been named to the East team, linebacker Mark Singer of the University of Alberta to the West squad.

-- Defensive coordinator Pete Jenkins was named assistant head coach and outside linebacker coach John Mitchell was moved to defensive coordinator at Louisiana State.