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Charlie Ward's Tallahassee commitment to be carried into FAMU men's basketball coach job
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- Charlie Ward's Tallahassee commitment to be carried into FAMU men's basketball coach job
Charlie Ward is a name that's all too familiar in Tallahassee.
Now, his legacy will extend to Florida A&M .
The 1993 Heisman winner, national championship quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles , and former NBA player had his introductory press conference as the Rattlers ' 16th head men's basketball coach at the Al Lawson Center on Monday, April 21.
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Ward, 54, comes to FAMU after spending seven seasons as Tallahassee's Florida High School's boys' basketball head coach. He led the Seminoles to the Class 3A title in the Florida High School Athletic Association's 2022 state championships .
"This next chapter as a collegiate coach is not a stepping stone. Rather, it solidifies our commitment to Tallahassee," said Ward, outfitted in an Orange FAMU hat and a grey windowpane suit.
"And I'll triple down on this one because this is the only collegiate job I was willing to take."
Ward replaces former FAMU basketball coach Patrick Crarey II, who left for Grambling State on April 11 . On the table for Ward is a five-year contract worth $975,000, up for FAMU Board of Trustees approval on Thursday, April 24.
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Ward said he's "dedicated to Tallahassee and invested in serving the community," which enticed him to take the FAMU job.
His local contributions include his Champions Ranch , a fitness facility to support disconnected and underserved youth through sports, educational programs, and summer camps to address a lack of community gathering spaces.
The Champions Ranch is "getting close to Phase One," Ward said.
"His feet are set in this community," FAMU's Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs said of Ward.
"He knows how to win and has been a part of championship culture in many different lanes. We're excited to have Coach Ward with us."
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'God's Plan': Charlie Ward is finally a Rattler as FAMU's new basketball coach
Before his award-winning football career and 12-year NBA stint, Ward was immersed in FAMU's campus.
The Thomasville, Georgia native was born in FAMU's on-campus hospital, which is now the Foote-Hilyer Administration Building.
Becoming the FAMU's basketball coach made him think about how he would watch the team play at Gaither Gym during former Rattlers' star Clemon Johnson's college career in the mid 1970s.
"Many of you may know me as a Seminole, but I was born a Rattler. The opportunity to join FAMU was a welcomed one," Ward said. "I grew up coming to FAMU's campus. So to be able to come here is a great blessing for me."
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Ward's parents, Charlie Sr. and Willard, met as students on FAMU's campus. Ward Sr. played quarterback for FAMU's football team from 1959 until graduating in 1964 under legendary Rattlers coach Jake Gaither.
The younger Ward's older sister, Leta, is also a FAMU alumna.
Charlie Ward Sr. hugs FAMU Athletic Director Angela Suggs during an press conference introducing Hesiman trophy winner and former NBA player Charlie Ward as the new head basketball coach for FAMU at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center Monday, April 21, 2025.
"What's happening is God's plan. We took a lot of flack when Junior decided to go to Florida State. But that was his choice," Ward Sr. said. "But you see how things workaround? Now, he's here."
Charlie Ward is bring 'PACCEE' to FAMU men's basketball program
Heisman trophy winner and former NBA player Charlie Ward shakes hands with members of the FAMU basketball team during an introductory press conference introducing Charlie Ward as the new head basketball coach for FAMU at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center Monday, April 21, 2025.
Ward's coaching motto is P.A.C.C.E.E., pronounced "pace."
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The acronym means prepared, accountable, competitive spirit, commitment, effort, and execution.
He wants players who will check those boxes as he begins to build his inaugural FAMU men's basketball team.
"As a high school coach, I ran the program like college, pro ― however you want to look at it," Ward said. "We have to be willing to sacrifice for the betterment of a role. Talent is one thing, but you must be coachable and willing to play your role."
FAMU finished last season with a 13-16 record, the most wins ever since 2008. The Rattlers won their first SWAC Tournament game since joining the league in 2021-2022 by beating Prairie View A&M this March.
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Ward hopes to upkeep the excitement around FAMU basketball to bring more attention to the program and game attendance with him at the helm.
"Student involvement at games is very, very important. And hopefully, that's something we can bring to the table," Ward said. "We have to make sure we're doing our part as a basketball team. People don't want to see bad basketball. What hopefully they see is the heart behind what we do."
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: Charlie Ward: Becoming FAMU basketball coach 'not a stepping stone'
