When Florida State picks Mickey Andrews replacement as the team's new defensive coordinator, Bobby Bowden will have the final say.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden will hire the Seminoles' next defensive coordinator, but offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher should weigh in heavily, Bowden said on the weekly ACC teleconference today.

"I think he definitely has to have a say-so, because he's the future here," Bowden said of Fisher. "It's one of those things I'll make the final decision on, but I'll definitely get his input, and very strongly."

Following today's announcement that FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews is retiring, SB Nation's Tomahawk Nation remembers a man they call "the Finest Defensive Coordinator of the Modern Era."

Don't choose to remember Mickey Andrews for this abysmal final season.  Remember him for his courage, his selflessness, his loyalty, and his patience.  Remember Mickey's ability to repeatedly dial up the right pressure at the right time, some of the funniest stories that we can't repeat here (hey, this is a family site), remember how he changed the game of college football, remember his spitting and his fiery temperment- the perfect foil to Bowden's ho-hum good ol' boy demeanor.  But most of all, remember Mickey for being a great 'Nole.  After 26 great years, Mickey Andrews is hanging it up.  And nobody could be more deserving of a great retirement.

Tomahawk Nation credits Andrews for transforming the Seminoles "from a high-scoring mid-major into a national power," and call him "a man of incredible patience and class." You can read the official press release here.

Brian Cook compiles an all-time team of Andrews’ finest from Florida State, who if combined would be one of the best NFL defenses of all-time since their weakest link would be safety Corey Fuller, a guy who ended up playing a decade in the NFL. Per Mr. MGoBlog:

So … yeah, when a guy who played ten years in the NFL is the lamest player in your starting eleven, you’ve had a hell of a run as a defensive coordinator.

Correct. The pipeline through the nineties there was nothing short of insane.

As was expected, Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews announced to the public Tuesday that this will be his last season at FSU. His statement:

"After last football season I told Diane I wanted to coach one more year. For several reasons we agreed that was the thing to do.

"We debated on when it should be announced – before the season or after it. Because of a lot of speculation and questioning from friends, family and media, we decided to go ahead and do it now.

"This is my last year as a football coach at Florida State. I has been a wonderful experience. We have been blessed.

"I just want to thank Coach Bowden for giving me the opportunity to come to Florida State in 1984. It has been 26 great years working for him. I also want to thank all the outstanding coaches and staff people I have worked with through the years.

"I especially want to thank all the players who gave so much of themselves to make this program so successful through the years.

"And finally, to the fans who make FSU so special – Go Noles!"

Mickey Andrews, the defensive coordinator at Florida State, a position he has held since 1984, may be coaching his final season. It has been rumored that 2009 would be his last year, but since the season started, Andrews hasn't commented on his future. Soon we will have the answer, because Andrews is set to officially announce his decision on Tuesday.

Prior to the start of the 2009 football season defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews hinted that this might be his last season at Florida State. But through the first eight games Andrews has been quiet on the subject.

During Monday's weekly coordinator press conference, Andrews finally gave a timeline for when his decision will come.

"We'll probably do something on that tomorrow," Andrews said.

SB Nation's Tomahawk Nation, which has already shifted their focus to the fact that there are only four more games until this season comes to a merciful end, took a look at the Seminoles' defense this season, or rather, the lack thereof.

In just 5 conference games so far, the 'Noles have already allowed more points than they did in any other full ACC Season (8 games). That's pretty difficult to do.  

In just 5 ACC games, they've already allowed more yards than the entire conference seasons of 2006 and 2004 (and surely before). 

 In ACC play, they are the only defense allowing more than 7 yards per snap.  And yes, Duke is still in the ACC.  Snap, 7 yards.  Snap, 7 yards.  Snap, 7 yards.  Oh, and they significantly benefit from opponent's kneel-downs!  (5 for about -10 yards). 

In their last two home games, they've surrendered 91 points and 1080 yards. 

It goes on from there, but I think you get the idea. It isn't all Andrews' fault, though: "He didn't want Chuck Amato or some of the other family friends inept defensive coaches Bobby Bowden forced upon him.  He's been incredibly unselfish for more than 20 years, and dealt with the ridiculous Jeff Bowden circus, producing top defense after top defense.  It must be hard for him to continue to see his position coaches get nothing out of their players."

Andrews, 67, won the 1996 Frank Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach and the 1998 American Football Coach's Magazine's Defensive Coordinator of the Year, and in 2002, he was named FSU's Associate Head Coach.