Four Seminole assistant coaches out after bowl

Former Florida State star tailback Dexter Carter is among four Bobby Bowden assistant coaches not being retained after the Gator Bowl.

Incoming head coach Jimbo Fisher is cleaning house after the Jan. 1 game.

Carter, the Seminoles' running backs coach the last three seasons, is out along with longtime Bowden assistant and former North Carolina State coach Chuck Amato, strength coach Todd Stroud and defensive ends coach Jody Allen.

``Life goes on,'' said Carter, who starred for the Seminoles in the late 1980's and was a first round draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers. ``You've got to be able to dust yourself off and move forward.''

Carter, 42, said he was not given a reason why he was being let go by Fisher, who is still in negotiations with the university on a contract as head coach.

``He doesn't have to give me a reason and he didn't,'' Carter said. ``He's going in a different direction. He's not bringing people in who aren't qualified. They can coach.''

Bowden, speaking at a Gator Bowl reception in Jacksonville, said he expected all four coaches to stick around for the bowl game.

``As far as I know, they'll all be here for the bowl,'' Bowden said. ``I sure hope they do to try to keep some continuity in our practices and things.''

Bowden said he expected Fisher to make changes.

``You hate to see any coaches go that you know,'' Bowden said. ``But just like I told my sons Terry and Tommy and Jeffrey - who all have been fired - that is the nature of the job, the nature of the game, hiring and firing and replacing and losing and so and so.

``I'm just very concerned about their welfare, but coach Fisher, who's going to take my place, has got to do what he's got to do.''

Unless Fisher makes more changes, he will be keeping receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey, recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach James Coley, defensive line coach Odell Haggins and offensive line coach Rick Trickett. Dawsey and Haggins also played for the Seminoles.

A seven-year NFL veteran, Carter said he learned a lot during his three years coaching Florida State backs.

``I leave a much better coach than when I arrived.'' said Carter, who wants to remain in the coaching profession and hopes to someday become a head coach. ``You can't be mad. If you are, at some point you'll get over it.''

Amato, 63, spent 21 seasons with Bowden, including the last three after being fired by as head coach by his North Carolina State alma mater after a 3-9 season in 2006.

The raspy-voiced, barrel-chested Amato had a 49-37 record coaching the Wolfpack.

Stroud, a noseguard for Bowden between 1983-85, had been strength coach for three years while Allen had been with the Seminoles the past 10 seasons.

The Gator Bowl is also the final time on the sidelines for Bowden after 56 years in the coaching profession. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews announced his retirement last month.

Fisher, who was on the road recruiting Wednesday, now has five assistant coaching positions to fill.

``Florida State is going to be fine,'' Carter said. ``But nobody can forget the legacy of coach Bowden.''