Bowden Legacy Auction begins as FSU football legend’s property is sold
The auction of Bobby and Ann Bowden’s home and personal belongings is now live through the Wiregrass Auction Group.
- The former home of legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden may be sold to the Seminole Boosters.
- Real estate agent and FSU alumnus Reagan Hobbs purchased the home at auction for $737,000.
- Bowden and his wife, Ann, bought the Killearn Estates home in 1976 and lived there for decades.
- The home’s potential sale to the boosters would keep it connected to the FSU community.
Bobby Bowden’s former Killearn Estates home could remain in the Seminole family.
Florida State alumnus and Tallahassee real estate agent Reagan Hobbs, who purchased the iconic property at auction last spring, told the Tallahassee Democrat on Sunday that he is negotiating a deal with Seminole Boosters, Inc.
For Hobbs, a lifelong FSU fan and Seminole Boosters member, the possibility of the house continuing its connection to FSU carries special significance.
“I’m optimistic,” Hobbs said of the proposed deal and ongoing discussions.
The Democrat has reached out to the Boosters for comment.
Hobbs purchased Bowden’s home during the real estate portion of the Bobby Bowden Legacy Auction last March. He submitted a winning bid of $670,000, with a final purchase price of $737,000 after a 10% buyer’s premium.
The two-week auction, conducted by Wiregrass Auction Group of Thomasville, Georgia, concluded March 18 with overwhelming interest from Seminole fans and memorabilia collectors.
Nearly 1,925 registered bidders placed more than 33,000 bids on 1,568 lots featuring Bowden family keepsakes and FSU memorabilia. By the time bidding closed, only seven items had failed to attract an offer.
Bobby Bowden’s Killearn Estates home tied to FSU history
Built in 1971, the 4,639-square-foot residence features four bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms in a New Traditional French style. It sits on a 0.57-acre lot along the private, recently renovated Killearn Club golf course. Bowden often played golf at Killearn and a life-sized bronze statue of Bowden stands near the 16th tee box.
Bowden, who coached FSU for 34 seasons, and his wife Ann bought the home in January 1976 for $113,500 after his arrival from West Virginia. He lived there until his death in 2021 at age 91.
Ann Bowden, who turns 94 on Monday, Sept. 7, has since moved to Alabama to live with family.
Since acquiring the property, Hobbs has spoken enthusiastically about its potential and the unique place it occupies in FSU history. If a deal is completed, a house synonymous with Bowden’s remarkable run at FSU would continue to serve the Seminole community long after the coach’s passing.
Bowden ranks second all-time in Division I wins (357) behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno, winning two national championships at FSU in 1993 an 1999.
Bowden and Ann had six children, including two who became college football head coaches, former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden and former Auburn coach Terry. Son Jeff also coached under his father at FSU.
Tommy Bowden believes a partnership with Seminole Boosters could be a fitting next chapter for a home so closely tied to FSU history.
“It could be a resource for home games,” Tommy Bowden said. “It might mean a lot to all those (fans) coming back.”
Here is FSU football’s 2026 schedule
Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State, 34-17
Sept. 7: vs SMU, 730 p.m., ESPN
Sept. 19: at Alabama, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Sept. 26: vs Central Arkansas, TBA
Oct. 3: vs. Virginia, TBA
Oct. 9: at Louisville, 7 p.m., ESPN
Oct. 17: at Miami, TBA
Oct. 31: vs. Clemson, TBA
Nov. 7: at Boston College, TBA
Nov. 13: at Pitt, 7 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 21: vs. N. C. State, TBA
Nov. 28: at Florida, 3:30 p.m., ABC