After a coaching search that was filled with more twists and turns than a weekday soap opera, the FAMU coaching search has finally come to a conclusion with Interim head coach James Colzie named the 19th head coach in the program’s history.
After former head coach Willie Simmons departed in early January to accept the running backs coach position on Manny Diaz’s staff at Duke, Colzie III was named interim coach.
A letter that was sent out to both AD Sykes and FAMU president, Dr. Larry Robinson, by the FAMU football leadership council soon after Colzie was named the interim endorsed that he have the interim tag removed from his title and be named the head coach.
A search was initiated, with FAMU AD Tiffani-Dawn Sykes recommending Fort Valley State head coach Shawn Gibbs, a move that was so much to the chagrin of Rattler football invested parties that the National Alumni Association in which the issued a no-confidence vote for both AD Sykes, (18-3) as well as the selection of coach Gibbs (19-1).
It was then decided that a search party would be enlisted to help select the next FAMU coach and despite over 40 applicants, per the list being leaked, the Rattlers stayed in house with Colzie III.
Colzie had been on staff since 2022, joining as the defensive passing game coordinator and running backs coach before being promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2023.
