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Bill Curry, seen here in Georgia State gear, didn't think he'd beat out Bobby Bowden for the Alabama job.
When Ray Perkins resigned to head to the NFL in 1987, Bobby Bowden thought he'd be the next Alabama coach.
Bill Curry thought the same.
"I heard Bobby Bowden was being interviewed and I thought why am I going over there? They aren't going to hire me,'" Curry told AL.com.
"I just assumed Bobby would get it."
Bowden did, too.
The Birmingham native played his freshman year at Alabama before transferring to Howard College -- now known as Samford. He had a good thing going at Florida State -- he had ten consecutive winning seasons by 1987 -- but was willing to leave it to return to Tuscaloosa.
"I always thought my calling would be to end up at the University of Alabama," Bowden told Paul Finebaum this week. "I just said that's how things are going to work out."
Alabama boosters approached Bowden about the job, and he agreed to meet with the school president but made it clear he wasn't going to interview for the job. He assumed an offer was only a formality, but when it came time to meet the president that feeling soon dissipated.
Bowden walked into the room and saw 17 people waiting for him. He realized it was an interview, not a job offer.
The job, of course, would end up going to Curry, who arrived from Georgia Tech with a 31-43-4 record.
"I was stunned I was called; I was stunned I was interviewed, and I was more stunned the job was offered," Curry said. "I don't know why they decided why they did. I guess none of us will ever know."
Bowden said Tuesday he had decided he was going to accept the Alabama job if offered. Instead, he stayed in Tallahassee for 23 more seasons, won two national championships and built a football powerhouse.
Curry lasted three seasons at Alabama, winning one shared SEC title, but left for Kentucky after a contract dispute. His stint in Tuscaloosa resulted in a 26-10 record and three bowl appearances.
Bowden's dream of coaching the Crimson Tide never materialized, but Curry did make sure a Bowden was at Alabama -- Bobby's son Tommy.
The younger Bowden joined Curry's staff as the receivers coach after a stint as Duke's offensive coordinator.
"Bobby called me -- we've been friends for a long time -- and said 'We've been trying to get a Bowden to Tuscaloosa for a long time, so I'm glad you're doing this.' Curry said.
"(He said) 'I'm just happy to have a Bowden in Tuscaloosa.'"