Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden returns for a game for the first time since retiring

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Bobby Bowden believes the Florida State football program is in a good place.

So good he feels he can return to Doak Walker Stadium without being a distraction.

The Seminoles former coach will attend a game at FSU for the first time since retiring after the 2009 season. Bowden will plant the flaming spear at midfield as part of the pregame ceremonies Saturday against North Carolina State.

Bowden, who has the most wins in NCAA history, was leery of hanging around the program and wanted to give coach Jimbo Fisher space to establish his own identity.

Fisher has the third-ranked Seminoles (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) at No. 2 in the BCS standings with a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Jameis Winston leading the way.