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Quinn Gray to FAMU football? Rumored coach announces Albany State departure
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- Quinn Gray to FAMU football? Rumored coach announces Albany State departure
Is Quinn Gray Sr. Florida A&M -bound?
Possibly.
On Dec. 15, Gray announced that he's leaving Albany State, thanking the program after leading it for three seasons.
Gray, a former record-setting and Hall of Fame FAMU quarterback from 1997-2001, has been a hot name in the Rattlers' head football coaching search to replace James Colzie III, who was relieved of his duties on Dec. 8.
Albany State football head coach Quinn Gray poses for a photo at introductory press conference in Albany, Georgia on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Gray played quarterback at Florida A&M from 1997-2001
FAMU offensive coordinator Henry Burris has served as the acting head coach since Colzie's dismissal.
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"Albany State has been nothing short of amazing to myself and my family by giving me the opportunity to live out my dream of becoming a college football head coach," Gray posted on X/Twitter. "People often say you want to make sure you leave a place better than you found it. And I pray that I did just that!"
Albany State and its athletic director, Kristene Kelley, have also released statements about Gray's head coaching departure .
"Thank you, Coach Gray, for your leadership, your commitment to our student-athletes, and the success you've helped build at Albany State University," the athletic department posted on social media.
"We wish you and your family the very best in your next chapter."
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"Coaching transitions are a natural part of college athletics, and we are grateful for the standard of excellence Coach Quinn Gray, Sr. helped reinforce at Albany State," Kelley said. "His leadership, impact on our student-athletes, our campus, and this community has been significant, and we wish him the best in his next chapter."
Gray's Albany State Golden Rams were recently in the NCAA Division II playoffs, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Newberry College 31-24 on Dec. 6.
The Golden Rams finished the year 12-2, the program's most wins in a season, and as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Division II Black College Football National Champions.
Interestingly enough, Albany State faced FAMU during the 2025 season , faltering 33-25 in the Rattlers' September home opener on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
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Connecting the dots further, Albany State players, such as quarterback Isaiah Knowles, the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year, and All-SIAC second-team defensive back Tyrell Gainey, have entered the transfer portal.
Both have offers from FAMU since announcing their intentions to play elsewhere in 2026.
Florida A&M Rattlers defensive back Jalik Thomas (17) tackles an opponent. The Florida A&M Rattlers defeated the Albany State Golden Rams during the first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Gray was in the mix to fill Hampton University's head coaching vacancy. The Virginia-based Historically Black College and University named Kent State assistant Van Malone its new head coach on Dec. 12.
Could Gray be the Rattlers' guy after posting a 24-11 record at Albany State?
It wouldn't be his first time working on his alma mater's staff. He served as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator from 2011 to 2014.
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This time, however, he would be responsible for a Rattler rebuild after they finished 5-7 in the 2025 season, FAMU's first losing output since 2017 .
FAMU's offices will soon close for winter break.
If Gray is the next head coach, moving quickly would be ideal to allow enough time to assemble a staff and formulate a plan for the opening of the Division I transfer portal window on Jan. 2.
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: Rumored Florida A&M football coach Quinn Gray is leaving Albany State
