Where They Stand
The rebuild on the Highest of Seven Hills has a familiar face leading it. Quinn Gray — the Hall of Fame Rattler quarterback who rewrote the school's passing record book from 1997 to 2001 — was hired December 23, 2025 as the 20th head coach, replacing James Colzie III after a 5-7 season, the program's first losing campaign since 2017. Gray won a Division II Black college national title at Albany State last fall; his mandate in Tallahassee is two words he keeps repeating: restore the strike.
The start has been rocky: 1-4 with losses to South Carolina State in the Orange Blossom Classic, a 77-7 guarantee-game beating at Miami, Tennessee State and Alabama A&M. Gray told reporters flatly, "We're not a good team right now," and used the October 3 bye for what he called a hard reset — schematics, decisions, everything. The back half is all SWAC: road trips to Alabama State and Jackson State, homecoming against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern at home, and the Florida Classic against Bethune-Cookman on November 21. Year one is about identity. The standard, Gray knows better than anyone, is championships.
The Story of Florida A&M Rattlers
Florida A&M football is one of the crown jewels of Black college athletics. Under the legendary Jake Gaither — head coach from 1945 to 1969, originator of the "blood, sweat and tears" creed — the Rattlers became a national power, and his successor Rudy Hubbard took them all the way to the top of the sport: in 1978, FAMU won the NCAA Division I-AA national championship, the first ever awarded at that level, beating UMass in the title game. It remains one of the signature achievements in HBCU football history.
The pipeline of Rattler greats runs through the Pro Football Hall of Fame: "Bullet" Bob Hayes, the Olympic sprint champion whose speed forced the NFL to invent zone coverage; Ken Riley, the FAMU quarterback converted to cornerback who retired with 65 interceptions, fifth in league history; and Nate Newton, the six-time Pro Bowl guard who anchored the Cowboys' dynasty of the 1990s. The program claims 16 Black college national championships, the most recent under Willie Simmons in 2023, when the "Dark Cloud Defense" carried FAMU to SWAC and Celebration Bowl titles.
FAMU's traditions are appointment viewing. The Marching 100 is arguably the most famous band in college football; the Florida Classic against Bethune-Cookman is one of the great rivalry weekends in the sport; and the Orange Blossom Classic — which FAMU is signed to host through 2030 — opens the season on a national stage. Bragg Memorial Stadium's Ken Riley Field, named for the Rattler legend, sits at the heart of it all. The expectation in Tallahassee has never been subtle: FAMU sees itself as the standard in HBCU football, and says so.
Past Coaches
All-Time Team
Quinn Gray
The school's all-time passing leader when he graduated; led back-to-back MEAC titles in 2000–01 — now the head coach.
Willie Galimore
"Willie the Wisp" — one of the most electrifying runners of the 1950s and a Chicago Bears star.
Hewritt Dixon
Four-time AFL All-Star fullback with the Raiders and Broncos.
Bob Hayes
"Bullet Bob" — Olympic 100m gold medalist and Hall of Famer; his speed changed how defenses play.
Nate Newton
"The Kitchen" — six-time Pro Bowler, three-time Super Bowl champion anchoring the Cowboys' line.
Henry Lawrence
"Killer" — two-time Pro Bowl tackle, two-time Super Bowl champion with the Raiders.
Alonzo Johnson
Second-round pick; All-Pro linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ken Riley
Hall of Famer; 65 career interceptions — fifth in NFL history — all with the Bengals.
Glen Edwards
Two-time Pro Bowl safety; Super Bowl champion with the Steelers' Steel Curtain.
Gene Atkins
Nine-year NFL safety, mostly with the New Orleans Saints.
Names to Know
Justin Bostic
Returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown vs. South Carolina State in 2026.
Emilio Bacardi
Kicked the opening field goal in the 2026 Orange Blossom Classic.
Past Seasons
Season Stats
| Season | Record | Conference | Finish | Head coach | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5–7 | SWAC East | James Colzie III | First losing season since 2017 | |
| 2024 | 7–5 | 5–3 SWAC | T–2nd (East) | James Colzie III | |
| 2023 | 12–1 | SWAC | 1st | Willie Simmons | Celebration Bowl champions |
Schedule
Team News
Quinn Gray embracing the pressure to reinvigorate FAMU football
'The pressure of being at Florida A&M isn't no bigger than when I was a player here,' the new coach says.
Read the story →Quinn Gray: 'We're not a good team right now'
After a 1-4 start, the Rattlers hit the bye week for a self-scout: 'FAMU is beating FAMU.'
Read the story →James Colzie III fired as Florida A&M football coach after 2 seasons
Colzie went 12-12 in two years, ending with the program's first losing season since 2017.
Read the story →FAMU Board of Trustees quickly approves Quinn Gray hire
A five-year, $1.4M deal makes the Rattler Hall of Famer the 20th head coach in program history.
Read the story →