Initially reported by Offscript, Florida A&M is finalising deal to make former Heisman trophy and NBA player Charlie Ward the Rattlers’ new men’s basketball coach.
He replaces Patrick Crarey II who accepted the vacancy at Grambling, after a single, tumultuous year at the helm of the Rattler basketball program that included the majority of the team being shown the door and a very delayed and public contract ratification.
Ward was previously the head coach at Florida High, where he has been since 2018, leading them to a 129-58 record, including a state championship in 2022.
The Thomasville, GA is a college football legend and a made man in Tallahassee and the state of Florida. Ward was a two sport athletes at Florida State, playing football and basketball, leading the Seminoles to the national championship in 1993.
Despite a decorated collegiate career that included being named the ACC Playervof the Year in both 1992 and 1993, 1993 ACC Offesnsive Player of the Year, and being named an All-American, Ward’s name wasa not called in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, prompting him to hang up the helmet and shoulder pads and focus on basketball.
He was taken with the 26th overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1994 NBA draft. Ward would enjoy an 11-year career in the, 10 of which were spent with the Knicks, and ended with per game numbers of 6.3 points, 4.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds.
The Rattlers were 13-16 and 10-8 within Southwestern Athletic Conference play, continuing a streak of 18 consecutive sub.500 seasons
