Sports and politics had a chance to intersect for Ron DeSantis.
He was ready to make one of the boldest moves of his career.
And Ron DeSantis wanted to appoint this college football legend to be his Lieutenant Governor.
Ron DeSantis wishes he could have appointed Bobby Bowden as his Lieutenant Governor
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in the market for a new Lieutenant Governor.
Former Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez resigned to accept the job as the interim President of Florida International University (FIU) in Miami.
“I can think of no better advocate for FIU than a two-time alumni from South Florida who has the experience of having served in the Florida Legislature and her time as lieutenant governor,” FIU Board of Trustees Chair Roger Tovar said.
DeSantis has an ally in charge of one of the state’s largest universities as he looks to remake the educational system in Florida.
Now, he has a post to fill with a little less than two years remaining in his final term as Governor.
DeSantis has not revealed who his replacement is for Nunez yet, but he had someone at the top of his wish list.
“I just want to put this out there for the record that if Coach Bobby Bowden were still alive, I would absolutely appoint him Lieutenant Governor of Florida, don’t you worry about that,” DeSantis said.
The legendary college football coach passed away in 2021 at the age of 91.
Bobby Bowden was the head coach of the Florida State University Seminoles from 1976 to 2009.
He led the Seminoles to 316 wins, two national championships, and a streak of 14 years straight with a top 5 finish in the polls.
Bowden was also a Republican and a Christian conservative.
He endorsed President Donald Trump and joked in October 2020 that he “beat COVID” so that he could vote for him.
“I’ve had the chance to get a lot of wins in my life, but I really wanted to win this one because I wanted to be around to vote for President Trump,” Bowden said at the time.
Ron DeSantis praised Bowden for his legacy of success
DeSantis awarded Bowden the Governor’s Medal of Freedom in 2021.
The Florida Governor had the state’s flags fly at half-mast in 2021 after Bowden passed away.
“Bowden was an impactful leader and empowered his players to be the same. He lived a remarkable life with a strong Christian foundation serving God’s purpose on and off the field. Bowden was the inaugural recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, the highest citizen award the Governor can give. He also holds recognition in the College Football Hall of Fame as of 2006. He will be remembered as one of the best coaches of all time, a legendary Floridian, and a man of God,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis’ comments about picking Bowden came after another college football legend entered politics.
Former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel was named as Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor.
Tressel, a Republican, had been the President of Youngstown State University after his coaching career.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this story.
