John Bowers Is Going, Going, Gone

John Bowers has resigned from his position as JMU football special teams coordinator. And, well, we’re actually pretty stoked for him. Yes, it’s a big loss for the program. But Bowers is heading back to the West Coast to take a job and be closer to his family. His son is looking like he might be the starting QB for Cal this Fall, so Bowers and his wife decided to relocate so they could both be close enough to watch him play. So while it’s a big loss for JMU, we’re not sure how you can be anything but happy for Coach and his family.

Bowers played at JMU under Coach Challace McMillian and then went on to coach for over 30 years at both the high school and college level. He returned to Harrisonburg as part of former head coach Everett Withers staff. Withers fired (scapegoated) him days before bolting for Texas State, but JMU immediately hired him back to serve as the director of player personnel during the interim before hiring Mike Houston. Bowers not only kept the team together, he worked tirelessly to maintain relationships with recruits. It’s impossible to overstate how important Bower’s leadership was to JMU football at a time when the program desperately needed it. Without Bowers stepping up, there’s no telling what would have happened. He kept the team and most of the recruiting class engaged and focused on JMU football. Follow coach on Twitter or talk to any of the players and it’s pretty clear Bowers helped build that “football family” atmosphere that every program desires.

This past season Bowers’ special teams unit was a key factor in the march to the National Championship. From Tyler Gray’s clutch kick in Fargo to the killer blocked punt down in Frisco, special teams plays were huge. He also coached outside linebackers and played an important role in transforming the pillow soft Withers’ defense to a dominant one. We are sad to see you go Coach, but good for you. Go be with your family and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.