Bowden says he'll pick Andrews' successor

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Florida State football Coach Bobby Bowden says he'll get input from coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher but will have the final say on a new defensive coordinator.

The job will have to be filled when Mickey Andrews retires at the end of the season, his 26th at FSU.

"I'll make the final decision, but I'll definitely get (Fisher's) input, and very strongly," Bowden said during the ACC's weekly coaches' teleconference Wednesday.

Bowden has been under stinging criticism during his team's lackluster 4-4 season, with some critics calling for him to step down at the end of the season.

Fisher, the offensive coordinator, will coach the Seminoles when Bowden retires or get $5 million if the 79-year-old head coach doesn't bow out by Jan. 1, 2001, the Florida Times-Union reported.

Andrews confirmed his own retirement Tuesday. He coached 18 first-round NFL draft picks at the Tallahassee school.

The Seminoles have won two national championships, but have not won 10 games in a single season since 2003.