Florida A&M football is in flux again.
The school fired head coach James Colzie II on Monday, following his second full season, during which the Rattlers finished 5-7 in 2025.
Two years removed from a SWAC championship and HBCU national title, the search begins for a head coach who can reestablish FAMU as a SWAC powerhouse once again.
The hire will be the first significant decision for incoming athletic director John Davis, who is set to begin his tenure in January after being appointed to replace Angela Suggs.
Here are 8 names that should surface in Florida A&M’s search:
1. Quinn Gray (Head Coach, Albany State)
Gray’s steady growth at Albany State and his offensive pedigree as a former FAMU quarterback make him a candidate to watch. His recruiting ability and player relationships could translate smoothly to the FCS level. Gray most recently led Albany State to a 12-win season and a deep run in the Division II playoffs.
2. Chennis Berry (South Carolina State Head Coach)
Berry captured national attention by turning Benedict College into a D-II juggernaut before joining South Carolina State in 2024. In just two seasons as Bulldogs coach, Berry has led the program to consecutive MEAC titles and trips to the Celebration Bowl.
3. Trei Oliver (Head Coach, North Carolina Central)
Oliver has transformed North Carolina Central into a MEAC powerhouse, winning a Celebration Bowl and consistently fielding one of the top defenses in the FCS. His proven program-building ability and recruiting success make him a home-run candidate if Southern, where he was a former Southern assistant, could lure him south.
4. Fred McNair (Former Head Coach, Alcorn State)
The Southern interim coach is one of the most respected coaches available. His ability to lead Alcorn State to the SWAC East championships and a SWAC title proved his coaching chops.
5. Chris Barnette (Offensive Coordinator, Alabama State)
Barnette revitalized Alabama State’s offense in 2025. The Hornets averaged a SWAC-leading 39.5 points per game. Known for his innovation and adaptability, he served as an offensive assistant at South Carolina State and Winston-Salem State before becoming offensive coordinator at North Carolina A&T. During his tenure, the Aggies’ offense was the catalyst in the program winning the MEAC, Celebration Bowl, and HBCU national championships.
6. Maurice Flowers (Head Coach, Johnson C. Smith)
Flowers has turned Johnson C. Smith into one of the top programs in the CIAA and Division II football. His ability to rebuild should be a valuable asset for FAMU.
7. Dr. Alvin Parker (Head Coach, Virginia Union)
Parker has quietly developed Virginia Union into a Division II force, combining discipline with an explosive offense. His ability to maximize limited resources mirrors what’s required to thrive in the FCS.
8. Teddy Bridgewater (NFL quarterback, Florida High School football coach)
Bridgewater is a current backup quarterback in the NFL, but spent most of 2024 as a high school football coach in Florida. In his lone season as a coach at Miami Northwestern High School, he led the team to a state championship.
In the offseason, he disclosed that an undisclosed HBCU contacted him for a coaching interview.
“A new HBCU reached out to interview me today, and a couple of NFL teams have also offered coaching jobs. This is a cool process, no lie,” Bridgewater posted on X.
