Tigers’ West understands longevity isn’t security
You can ask Tommy West about his newly christened title as Conference USA’s Dean of Coaches at today’s football media day function at The Peabody, but don’t expect him to be impressed with the distinction.
”It usually means you’re the next guy (to be fired),” he said. ”You’ve got a bull’s-eye on you.
”But I guess it’s worked for Bobby Bowden,” West said of the 33-year Florida State coach, the winningest coach in NCAA football history. ”I need to call (Bowden) and see how he does it.”
West has been in the profession long enough to understand length of service doesn’t necessarily equate to job security. This is his 14th season as a head coach and his 29th overall in college football.
Next month, West begins his eighth season in C-USA with a Tiger football program he has turned around. When he assumed control of the bowl-starved Tigers after the 2000 season, the UofM hadn’t played in a postseason game in nearly 30 years. It hadn’t enjoyed a winning season since 1994.
commercialappeal.com
7/20/08
Magnolia Tribune
