Goof Bowyer


Ernest J. "Goof" Bowyer was a college football player and coach.

Early years

Bowyer attended Lakeland High School, where he was quarterback of the South Florida champion 1923 team.

University of Florida

Bowyer attended the University of Florida. He played for coach Tom Sebring and Charlie Bachman's Florida Gators football teams from 1925 to 1928. He was captain of the freshman team his first year, and captain of the varsity in his senior season. In 1927 he broke his leg against Georgia, and was elected captain one month later. Bowyer was one of the school's greatest ever senior captains, leading what was remembered by many sports commentators as the best Florida football team until at least the 1960s.

Coaching career

After serving as an assistant for his former high school, Bowyer was hired as head football coach and athletic director for the Florida Southern Moccasins. His 1932 basketball team posted a 10–3 record. In 1933 Bowyer took over as the Florida Gators backfield coach after the departure of Joe Holsinger, his former backfield coach.

Death

He died on May 19, 1988.