To be accompanied by a little mood music in another window...

One common component of Florida State's halcyon destroyers from 1982-99? Chuck Amato. One of the elements from that era missing in this decade's stunning decline, which has included at least four losses in each of the last six seasons? Chuck Amato. Back in Tallahassee as of Wednesday? Chuck Amato.

Chesty Chuck joins an almost totally new lineup of FSU assistants, save his immediate defensive boss, Mickey Andrews (simultaneously too successful and potentially homicidal to fire), highlighted by new OC Jimbo "Not A Bowden" Fisher and O-line coach Rick Trickett, straight from his devastatingly effective stint at West Virginia. Amato will resume his stead over cold-blooded linebacker mercenaries (he coached Marvin Jones, Derrick Brooks, Sam Cowart, et al, remember) while serving as "executive head coach" and resident South Florida recruiting guru. Not sure what potentially revolting duties come with being an "executive head coach" under Bobby Bowden, but Florida State is immediately better. Now if only Mark Richt can suffer the same fizzling fate at Georgia...

Money quote via Papa Bowden:

Oh, I dunno, coach, where "miss[ing] a beat" is concerned, wasn't Amato in Tallahassee when this transpired? (video via FSU devotee Scalp `Em, whose stock for "The Job " Award rocketed by association).

You said that I was naive,
and I thought that I was strong.
I thought, "hey, I can leave, I can leave."
Oh, but now I know that I was wrong, 'cause I missed you.
Yeah, I miss you.
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