Florida A&M hires Heisman winner and NBA veteran Charlie Ward as new men’s basketball coach

Florida A&M is reportedly closing in on a deal to hire former Heisman Trophy winner and NBA veteranCharlie Ward as its next men’s basketball coach. According to ESPN, the university is finalizing the agreement, marking Ward’s first head coaching role at the collegiate level.
Ward, who recently served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball at the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit, brings a wealth of experience as a former two-sport star at Florida State and a nine-year NBA player.

The 54-year-old made history at Florida State, where he excelled in both football and basketball. In 1993, he led the Seminoles to a national championship in football while winning the Heisman Trophy. That season, he threw for 3,032 yards and 27 touchdowns with just four interceptions, completing nearly 70% of his passes. He also added 339 rushing yards and four scores.

Despite his football success, Ward chose basketball as his professional path. The New York Knicks selected him in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft. Over nine seasons with the franchise, he averaged 6.5 points per game and shot 41% from the field. He later played for the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets before retiring.

Charlie Ward will replace Patrick Crarey II, who left Florida A&M after just one season to coach Grambling. Under Crarey, the Rattlers finished 14-17 overall and 10-8 in the SWAC, an eight-game improvement from their 6-23 record the previous season.
Florida A&M hasn’t had a winning season since 2007, when the team made the NCAA tournament as a No. 16 seed. Ward’s hiring signals a new era for the program as it looks to build on last season’s progress.
With his deep ties to Florida sports and a decorated playing career, Ward’s arrival brings excitement and high expectations to Tallahassee. Fans will be eager to see if his leadership can guide the Rattlers back to postseason contention.
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Charlie Ward’s hiring brings a mix of star power and untapped potential to Florida A&M basketball. Can his leadership turn the Rattlers into SWAC contenders, or will the transition from player to head coach prove challenging? We want to hear from you—drop your thoughts in the comments: Is this the right move for FAMU?