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Muschamp’s first boss encouraged him to stay in football. Saturday, they face off

In charge of different programs in different areas of the country, South Carolina’s Will Muschamp and Akron’s Terry Bowden rarely bump into each other anymore. Communication between the two football coaches is minimal when compared to the conversations the two shared over 20 years ago.

Long before Muschamp came to Columbia, he was a graduate assistant on a Bowen-led Auburn staff from 1995-96. When the stint ended and a full-time gig wasn’t immediately in sight, Muschamp ventured out of football.

“He went to work for (Great) Southern Wood for a year,” Bowden said. “And I can remember saying, ‘Don’t do it, you got what it takes.