Tampabay.com
NOVEMBER 03, 2009

Reaction to Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews' decision to retire

Here's some of the reaction to the expected announcement from Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews that he's retiring after this season:

FSU coach Bobby Bowden:
"He's been here 26 years and we've had such success and you just have to credit him with the success we've had since he came. He's done such a great job.''

FSU all-America cornerback Deion Sanders:
"First of all, Coach Andrews is the best coach that I've ever been coached by. His coaching, wisdom and instruction carried over into my personal life and those of all the players he coached. Not a single day goes by when I am coaching, mentoring or teaching somebody that I don't use things Coach Andrews taught me.''

FSU all-America cornerback Terrell Buckley, now a graduate assistant working with the defensive backs:
"I really came to Florida State for two reasons -- No. 1 was him and the other was we had a bunch of TV games the next year. From that point up until now, he's meant a lot. Like a father figure on what it takes to be successful.''

FSU star corner and longtime NFL standout Martin Mayhew, now the senior VP and GM of the Detroit Lions:
"He's a great coach ... and just a great motivator. He taught you as a person and as a player how to give 100 percent in everything.''

FSU all-American and NFL all-pro with the Bucs, Derrick Brooks:
"His impact on Florida State, in my opinion, is not far behind Coach Bowden's. You just look at the number of players who have gone on to have successful lives who played for him. ... He made sure the players understood what it was like to be a mentally tough individual, not just on the field but off the field.''

FSU all-American Peter Boulware:
"I think he'll go down as the greatest defensive coordinator in college football. He'd squeeze every last bit of talent and ability and effort out of you. With him, it's only after you graduate, only after you were successful (later), you would look back and appreciate what Coach Andrews did for you.''

Former FSU linebackers coach Kevin Steele, now the defensive coordinator at Clemson:
"Coach Andrews is just a special, special person ... He's probably the best game-day caller I've been around and I've been fortunate to be around some pretty good ones. ... I don't know of anybody who's done it any better.''

Former FSU defensive ends coach Jim Gladden:
"Mickey brought to the table a level of intensity and accountability. He held people accountable, players and coaches. He was not tolerant of a lack of intensity. ... The university is going to miss him more than they realize, more than anybody realizes.''  

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Florida State Seminoles fans, start your tomahawk chop. The Seminole Report blog is written by FSU beat writer Brian Landman and the sports staff of the Tampa Bay Times.

E-mail Brian Landman:
landman@tampabay.com

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