Florida A&M coach James Colzie acknowledged uncertainty about his coaching future days after the Rattlers lost to rival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic.
When asked if he expected to return next season, Colzie said he hadn’t received clarity from university leadership.
“I haven’t heard any conversation about that,” Colzie said on Monday during the SWAC coaches media call. “Obviously, supporting the president and our new athletic director, we’ve had some talks about what’s needed moving forward.”
The Rattlers currently hold a 5-6 record this season and are 12-11 overall in two seasons under Colzie.
“There hasn’t been smooth sailing for me as the head coach,” Colzie said earlier in a meeting with local reporters in Tallahassee. “I’m going to look at how we are right now. Taking this position, you understand the standard. We have not met the expectations. But you have to look at the totality of everything.”
Beyond the chatter about his future with the program, Colzie turned his attention to deeper issues within the program. He emphasized the importance of institutional commitment in an evolving college sports environment characterized by the transfer portal, NIL policies, and discussions on revenue sharing.
“The programs having success right now are fully invested in everything involving the athlete,” Colzie said. “That’s not just NIL—it’s nutrition, staffing, facilities, and a full infrastructure that supports the players.”
Colzie noted that other successful programs often enjoy stability at the administrative level and consistent resource allocation, while universities that experience turnover or funding challenges can struggle to compete.
Since Colzie was named coach in 2023, Florida A&M has had multiple changes in presidents and athletic directors.
“You look at teams playing for championships, they have those things,” he said. “They probably haven’t gone through a couple of presidents or athletic directors. It’s not just about showing up to play on Saturday—it’s about full investment in the program.”
Colzie’s comments underscored his belief that future success at Florida A&M will depend on comprehensive support from the institution.
“You want to make sure everybody’s fully invested in what you’re doing,” he said. “Sometimes the losses can dictate those conversations, but the real question is—was the investment there from the beginning?”
