Head football coach at Tulane and Clemson Universities | Conference USA Coach of the Year | two-time ACC Coach of the Year | Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year | ESPN and FOX sportscaster| Author of Winning Character: A Game Plan for Success
For Tommy Bowden and his late father, legendary college football coach Bobby Bowden, one might say linking football with Christianity was a family endeavor. But what does a former renowned college football coach have in common with you, a Christian businessperson? A winning strategy. Whether you’re playing field is in in the football arena or boardroom, It’s all in the C.A.R.D.S. – commitment, accountability, responsibility, discipline and sacrifice. Hear Tommy Bowden challenging each one of us to be businesspeople of character and integrity.
More About Tommy
Tommy Bowden is an unabashed evangelical Christian who openly confesses that he used his Christianity as a recruiting tool during his long and successful career coaching college football. His father, Bobby Bowden, the former Florida State football coach, helped create chaplaincies at schools across the South. One might say linking football with Christianity was a family endeavor.
From an outstanding student-athlete at West Virginia University, to the two-time ACC Coach of the Year at Clemson University, to widely sought-after motivational speaker, Tommy Bowden has dedicated his life to making a difference in others’ lives.
After spending several years as an assistant football coach at Florida State, Duke, Alabama, Kentucky, and Auburn Universities, Tommy Bowden became the head coach at Tulane University in 1997. In just his second season with Tulane, he led his team to an undefeated season, a Conference USA Championship and a win in the Liberty Bowl. Tommy was also named Conference USA Coach of the year.
In 1999, Tommy took the head coaching position at Clemson University. In that first season, the Tigers set or tied 41 school records, including 26 on offense. He was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1998, and ACC Coach of the year in both 1999 and 2003.
In 2006, Tommy received the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year Award.
Since retiring from Clemson in 2008, Tommy has become one of the nation’s most sought-after motivational speakers. He has appeared as an expert college football analyst on ESPN television and radio, as well as, co-hosted two football television shows, one with FOX Sports and one with the ACC Football Network.
Tommy speaks frequently about leadership and recruiting outstanding teams.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Linda, for more than 40 years, Tommy and Linda have two children and four grandsons. He is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ.
