Embattled AD gets “no confidence" vote from BOT Committee

Trustee Kelvin Lawson

The FAMU Board of Trustees Athletics Oversight Committee, yesterday, took the unusual step of approving a motion declaring that it had “no confidence” in Athletic Director Kellen Winslow's ability to perform his duties. The newly formed committee, chaired by Kelvin Lawson, includes Torey Alston and Student Body President Tonnette Graham.

“I think it’s a systemic issue in how Mr. Winslow has engaged or not engaged alumni and supporters. I think he has shown a blatant disrespect for the FAMU tradition,” Lawson said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. “I think it’s behavior the board can no longer condone.”

It is somewhat bizarre for a university board of trustees committee to make such a move. “No confidence” votes in university officials usually come from faculty senates.

The committee also voted to recommend that the full Board of Trustees pass a policy requiring two trustees to be appointed to the search committee for the new head football coach. According to WCTV-6, President Elmira Mangum told the committee that she thinks that proposal is inappropriate. 

The full board will consider the committee's "no confidence" vote and address other ongoing issues in the Department of Athletics at a special meeting next week.

Winslow angered many FAMU supporters by saying that the athletics department should be torn down and rebuilt “the right way,” firing Head Football Coach Earl Holmes during homecoming week, and asking the student-athletes who complained to him about Holmes’ firing: “Don’t y’all have a book to read?”

Hundreds of FAMU alumni and students booed Winslow during the 2014 Homecoming Convocation.