James Colzie III Named Florida A&M University's 19th Head Football Coach
HOUSTON - Florida A&M University has named James Colzie III the Rattlers' 19th head football coach. After the resignation of their 2023 HBCU Football National Championship head coach, Willie Simmons, Colzie was installed as the program's interim head football coach.
Several players and alumni favored Colzie's promotion as the new coach. However, the vice president and director of athletics, Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, ventured to bring on someone outside the program to fill the vacancy.
FAMU's national alumni boards and booster clubs wanted inclusion in the search process. Following several meetings and open discord, President Robinson and AD Sykes agreed to form a search committee and engage an executive search firm to locate a new football coach.
After a couple of weeks, the recommendation to name Colzie as the new coach was approved.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes named James Colzie III the 19th head football coach at Florida A&M University, January 27, 2024.
"I am thrilled to announce Coach James Colzie III as our new head football coach, Sykes said. "I extend my gratitude to President Larry Robinson, the FAMU Board of Trustees, Chairwoman Kristin Harper, and the entire FAMU community for their unwavering support throughout this process." She continued, "Coach Colzie's dedication as interim head coach and now as our permanent leader exemplifies his commitment to excellence."
Coach Colzie stated, "I am eternally grateful to President Robinson and our Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes for their confidence in me."
The Rattlers will open the 2024 football season in Week 0 at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Norfolk State University on Aug. 24 in Atlanta, GA. FAMU leads the all-time series 13-3.