Florida State football has had a history of greatness. They officially began competing in college football in 1947. Football had been played at the school before 1905, when it was the West Florida Seminary. When the school became the Florida State College for Women the football team was scrapped, only to be recreated when the school again became co-ed in at the end of World War II.
The early years from 1948-59 saw much success under coaches Don Veller and Tom Nugent. In 1950, the Seminoles went 8-0, the only undefeated season to that date for any Florida school. Nugent gave the Noles their first win over an SEC opponent with a 10-0 victory against Tennessee in 1958.
Bill Peterson Era: When Bill Peterson arrived at Florida State in 1960, it saw the beginning of the schools rise to national acclaim. He led the Seminoles to beat the Florida Gators for the first time in 1964, and secured them their first top ten ranking. He even gave a young assistant coach named Bobby Bowden his first chance at coaching success.
Peterson also is known for integrating the Seminoles. Without the approval of the president or athletic director, he signed Earnest Cook from Daytona Beach as fullback and Calvin Patterson from Dade County as running back.
Florida State rose to prominence under head coach Bobby Bowden, with much of their success only in recent years. This success includes multiple bowl victories, state championships, division titles, conference championships, national championships, and Heisman award winners. Under his leadership, Florida State had 14 consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins and a top 5 finish. This includes 11 bowl wins, nine ACC championships in nine years, two Heisman Trophy winners, and two national championships. During this time FSU football tickets were at a premium!
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