NCAA FB

ANDREWS LEAVING FSU

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Updated Nov 21, 2009 4:30 AM ET
     
 
After 26 years of chewing out, cussing, spitting, stomping and ultimately developing some of the best defenses in the country at Florida State, Mickey Andrews will coach at Doak Walker Stadium for the last time on Saturday. He's decided to devote himself to something much bigger than football . Andrews, 68, FSU's defensive coordinator, is leaving to be a full-time grandfather to the children of his son Ronnie, who died in 2007. Football , part of Andrews' life for so long, had to take a back seat. "He's stepping up and being a man," defensive tackle Kendrick Stewart said. "That goes back to his character. He's a great guy. He's stepping off the field to do what he has to do off the field." FSU players don't see Andrews' decision as surprising since they know the man, not the caricature of the guy with a perpetual scowl and vein-popping screams. Players know that Andrews is a caring father figure who can often be found kidding around in the cafeteria. When Andrews is on the field he's no cuddly bear. Linebacker Dekoda Watson learned that in his first practices. "I didn't know you could cuss like that and chew your gum at the same time," he said. Andrews' passion and intensity carried from his days as a player at Ozark High School in Alabama. When FSU head coach Bobby Bowden was the head coach at Howard College (now Samford University ) in Birmingham, Ala., he once showed up at Ozark High to scout some of Andrews' teammates. Andrews at the time was headed to the University of Alabama. "He played more intensely than he coaches," Bowden said, "and he coaches as intensely as I've ever seen." Andrews used that passionate attitude at FSU as he crafted some of the best defenses in college football . His players -- including Deion Sanders and Marvin Jones -- won Thorpe, Butkus and Lombardi Awards. He was named the nation's top assistant coach many times. Although this year's FSU defense is ranked last in the ACC and 109th nationally, Andrews hasn't slowed down. Watson hears stories of Andrews waking at 2 a.m., grabbing his briefcase and searching for solutions to the defense's problems. From the highs of two national championships to the lows of the past few seasons, Andrews has remained Bowden's devoted assistant. Some thought he would be FSU's next head coach after Bowden retired, but the university anointed offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher in 2007. Fisher will take over once Bowden retires. Andrews is spending his last days at FSU like he usually does, working long hours to help FSU win one more game. And while Florida State will honor Andrews and his family before Saturday's home finale against Maryland, the man is loyal to his troops to the end, saying he does not want the spotlight to be on him. "It's about them," he said of his players. "It's about what they can accomplish this year. They're giving too much effort in trying to become a better football team." And he admits that, when he takes the field Saturday, emotions likely will get the best of him. "(But) right now I'm thinking about how to stop Maryland," he said, before adding, "But it's special. There's no doubt about it. It's always nice when people say thank you."
Tagged: Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Maryland

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