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FAMU appoints John Davis as new permanent athletic director, Angela Suggs remains on staff
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- FAMU appoints John Davis as new permanent athletic director, Angela Suggs remains on staff
Florida A&M has announced the next step for its athletic director position after five months of constant change and questions.
John Davis is set to become FAMU's new Vice President and Director of Athletics, the HBCU announced in a press release on Friday evening, Nov. 14.
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FAMU President Marva Johnson describes Davis as a "dynamic and results-oriented leader" who will bring "more than three decades of executive experience in leading large-scale organizations."
"I am pleased to welcome him to Florida A&M University as my pick for vice president and director of athletics," Johnson said in a statement released by FAMU.
"Like many higher education institutions, we will utilize the experience of strategic business leaders to help grow and strengthen our athletics program, given the national challenges related to financial sustainability, NIL, and competitive balance. Davis' broad leadership experience and business acumen will ensure that FAMU remains a model of integrity, innovation, and opportunity."
Davis' official start date as FAMU's athletic director is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026. Michael Smith will remain the interim athletic director until then.
John Davis, Florida's lottery secretary, shares his story of resiliency at A. Crawford Mosley High School in Lynn Haven, Fla., April 18, 2024. The roundtable discussion was about Florida's "Resiliency Florida: The Power to Preserve" initiative presented by Casey DeSantis, the first lady of Florida, at the Marvin E. McCain Technology Center. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)
Davis will replace now-former FAMU athletic director Angela Suggs, who's been on paid administrative leave since June after being arrested on fraud and theft charges stemming from her former job, the Florida Sports Foundation.
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In his first statement as FAMU's athletic director in waiting , Davis said he brings "strong partnerships across business, government, and industry at both the state and national levels that will help secure the resources needed to elevate FAMU Athletics."
"It is an honor to take the role of Vice President and Director of Athletics at FAMU. This position excites me and aligns with my experience in leading transformational change across public and private sectors," Davis said.
"I view collegiate athletics as a business enterprise evolving alongside professional sports. To establish and advance a new trajectory for athletics at Florida A&M University, I intend to leverage the knowledge I've gained from various roles, including my experience as a collegiate student-athlete and advising on NIL policies.
"Working with our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and supporters, we will build on FAMU's proud legacy of excellence and take Rattler Athletics to even greater heights."
Davis becoming FAMU's new athletic director comes after five years of serving as the Florida Lottery's 10th Secretary , a role he was appointed to by Florida Governor and ally Ron DeSantis in 2020.
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As for Suggs, she remains on FAMU's staff as the Special Assistant to the President and Advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics. Suggs began the role in the President's office on Nov. 10.
While the Tallahassee Democrat has requested their contracts, it's not yet clear what Davis and Suggs will be paid. Following her June arrest, Suggs continued to receive a paycheck while on administrative leave with an annual salary of $250,000.
Johnson decided to retain Suggs on staff due to her "wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics administration and a comprehensive understanding of NCAA and [Southwestern Athletic Conference] regulations that will greatly benefit FAMU."
Florida A&M's new Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs speaks at an introductory press conference while Interim President Timothy Beard listens Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
The Florida Attorney's office agreed to close Suggs' case and offered a deferred prosecution agreement, according to a Sept. 25 court filing. The ruling allows Suggs to enroll in a pretrial intervention program. If she follows the rules of the agreement for two years, the state will dismiss her charges.
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Suggs, alongside FAMU President Johnson, was a part of the Rattlers football team's pregame Senior Night ceremony before its SWAC football game versus Jackson State at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1.
"I'm excited to see John Davis lead Florida A&M University Athletics, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success and elevation of my alma mater," Suggs said. "President Johnson's visionary leadership will position this institution for transformative growth, and it is an honor to support this great work in advancing our mission and serving our students, faculty, staff, and broader community."
Travis Glasgow initially served as the interim in Suggs' place before leaving FAMU in October to become the Deputy Athletics Director at Alabama A&M , another fellow NCAA Division I school and a member of the SWAC. Smith, a longtime FAMU employee and former Rattlers football player, was named the interim athletic director for the fifth time since 2009.
Davis is FAMU's 22nd athletic director change, interim and permanent, since 1994.
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For some critics of Johnson and her ties to DeSantis, the move was not well-received.
Al Lawson, a FAMU grad and former U.S. lawmaker who is weighing a run for mayor of Tallahassee in 2026 , sent a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat after this story was published online.
"I, along with many others at FAMU, am shocked and disappointed about this hire," said Lawson, who is the brother of Kelvin Lawson, FAMU's chief operations officer. "This is troubling, particularly in light of the fact that his only experience in athletics is that he played college football 30 years ago."
Who is John Davis, new FAMU's new athletic director?
A Pahokee native, Davis is a familiar name in Tallahassee.
John Davis has been appointed FAMU's new vice president and athletics director and starts Jan. 5, 2026. He currently serves as the 10th secretary of the Florida Lottery.
He played football at Florida State University from 1989 to 1992, where he performed as a safety for the Seminoles under head coach Bobby Bowden.
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Davis and FAMU men's basketball head coach Charlie Ward were FSU football teammates while on campus.
Davis graduated from FSU with a degree in political science.
Before working for the Florida Lottery, Davis served as the Executive Vice President for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2018 to 2020.
He was also a member of the FAMU Law Dean's Advisory Council.
Davis is a part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a Divine Nine Greek-lettered organization.
Davis has received numerous accolades in recognition of his service and impact. These include the Florida Trend Magazine People to Know, the Florida State University Black Alumni James "J.T." Thomas Heart of a Champion Award, Orlando Business Journal Power Players Award, 5000 Role Models of Excellence History Maker Award, MAN UP Mentoring Community Champion Award, ONYX Magazine Men of Honor Award, and he was named one of Orlando Magazine's Top 15 Leaders to Watch.
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He has been actively involved in several influential boards, including the Heart of Florida United Way, the Kappa Alpha Psi Achievement Foundation, and the Volunteer Florida Board of Commissioners, where he served as immediate past chair. He currently serves as vice chair of the Valencia College Board of Trustees.
Davis currently resides in Orlando with his wife, Felicia.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: John Davis appointed as FAMU's new AD, Angela Suggs still on staff
