Clemson Gives Bowden Extension

Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2007 that guarantees him at least $1.1 million annually.

"This is the place that I would like to spend the rest of my coaching career," Bowden said Friday. "It doesn't take long to feel this is a special place."

The contract increases Bowden's current compensation package, about $825,000, by 33 percent.

Incentives included could pay Bowden as much as $1.4 million, depending on the number of victories and the Tigers' success in winning Atlantic Coast Conference championships, bowl games, Bowl Championship Series games and the national title.

Bowden, the son of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, has been mentioned by fans and the media as a possible contender for the job at Alabama, where Mike DuBose was forced to resign last week.

Clemson athletic director Bobby Robinson would not say whether Alabama officials contacted him for permission to talk to Bowden.

Bowden took over last year and guided the Tigers to a 6-5 record, a considerable improvement over Tommy West's final season of 3-8. This year, the Tigers are 8-2 and have been ranked as high as fifth in the country.

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