The James Colzie era at FAMU not only proved costly on the field, but also at the box office. The math was merciless, and FAMU's leadership could no longer afford to ignore it.
Two years after hoisting the HBCU national championship trophy and finishing 12-1 under former coach Willie Simmons, the Rattlers’ financial outlook under James Colzie turned bleak. Home attendance—the lifeblood of any FCS program—plummeted from an average of 18,406 fans per game in 2023 (6th in FCS) to 17,043 in 2024 (9th in FCS) to just 14,093 in 2025 season (12th in FCS). That’s a loss of more than 4,300 paying customers per game.
Multiply that by a conservative average ticket price of $25–$30, and FAMU was bleeding approximately $107,500–$129,000 in gate revenue every home game. Over a typical five-game home slate, that’s a deficit of nearly $600,000 per season—and that’s before accounting for diminished concessions, merchandise, sponsorships, or donor enthusiasm.
When the final numbers from Colzie’s second season were tallied, the conclusion was inescapable: his tenure had cost FAMU well over a $1.6 million dollars in direct and indirect revenue. On December 8, FAMU's leadership made the only move that made business sense: they fired him.
Fifteen days later, they took corrective action, in hiring Quinn Gray, FAMU HOF legend and architect of a stunning turnaround at Division II Albany State, as the Rattlers’ 20th head football coach.
Gray doesn’t just represent a nostalgic homecoming; he embodies a strategic bet. In three seasons at Albany State, he compiled a 24–11 record, including a 12–2 finish in 2025 that showcased his ability to build a winner quickly. More importantly, he understands the cultural and economic ecosystem of FAMU football.
“This isn’t just about calling plays,” Gray said. “It’s about restoring belief --- restoring the STRIKE!!! We will put a product on the field that our alumni and fans are proud to support—both emotionally and financially.”
The task ahead is as much about balance sheets as it is about on field success. With the HBCU football landscape becoming increasingly competitive, FAMU can ill-afford mediocrity. Gray’s hiring is a direct effort to re-engage a disillusioned fanbase and stabilize the athletic department’s primary revenue stream.
“Quinn isn’t just a coach; he’s one of us,” said Curtis Taylor, president of the Rattler National F Club . “He knows what’s at stake. We’ve seen what happens when this program stumbles. Now we’re betting on one of our own to bring it back.”
“We are focused on rebuilding a championship culture both competitively and economically," said interim AD Michael Smith. "Our fans deserve a winner, and we are committed to delivering one.”
That can’t come soon enough. In the high-stakes business of college sports, attendance isn’t just a measure of loyalty—it’s a measure of viability. Right now, the numbers aren’t adding up.
The margin for error is thin. In today’s college sports economy, winning drives dollars. And at FAMU, the dollars have been running dry, lately. The Quinn Gray era begins not with a pep rally, but with a profit-and-loss statement—and a mandate to fix both.