With yesterday's announcement that Rubin Carter will be joining coaching pals Johnny Thomas(Alcorn), Steve Wilson (Texas Southern), and Mo Forte' (Arkansas Pine Bluff) ---other HBCU coaches who were fired this week--- on the unemployment lines, FAMU actively begun its search for a new head coach. In a press conference yesterday, President James Ammons signaled his desire to have a new coach and athletic director in place by the end of the year---39 days.Ammons place athletic director Nelson Townsend, who resigned, on administrative leave with pay until February 12, 2008. Coach Carter, received a "notice of nonn-reappointment and employment separation." He has been placed on administrative leave with pay. His last day of employment is April 22, 2008. The entire FAMU football coachin staff was dismissed, and will be paid until February.
Ammons named associate professor and former FAMU assistant football coach Allen Bogan the interim athletic director until a permanent athletic director is hired.
Athletic program ranked near the bottom of MEAC
“When we look at the overall program and where we think Florida A&M University should be,” Ammons said at a Tuesday news conference, “We think that we’ll move the program in a different direction.”
FAMU hasn't won an MEAC All-Sports Award in mens or womens sports since 2001 & 2002, respectively.
The football team went 6-5 in 2005 and 7-4 in 2006 under Carter, but finished this season 3-8.
Podcast of press conference: Here
FAMU needs Billie!
ReplyDeleteThats Billie Rolle out of Miami Norwestern High. the No. 1 High School Team in the United States.
This firing sent a message that the President will have a short fuse even at a struggling school... Watch this search carefully. A firing like this says that a favorite is already lined up. I personally wouldn't do anybody like this and expect quality applicants! They already have their man. If not, they would have done this gracefully with transition, as to attract more qualified persons.
ReplyDeleteI think they already had some in mind who they were talking to. So far as gracefully, that is a manner of both process and personal reactions of all parties involved. This is not an isolated incident. This is happening all over the country this year in athletics. Let's be cool and see how this one pans out! I think we are gonna be surprised.
ReplyDeleteFiring a coach in a situation where there is POOR PERFORMANCE is not uncommon. Some are even FIRED in the middle of the season.
ReplyDeleteThe senator will be out of a job real soon...and he IS FAMU's
ReplyDeletesavior/chosen one. I think he's great when it comes to our politics as they relate to state funding, but Assistant Director?
I don't know- just starting rumors. But wouldn't that be crazy? Or would it...
...Favoritism at its highest height!
The financial impact of that overlap is not immediately clear, but what appears certain is that Ammons and Carter - and maybe even some attorneys - will have conversations about the final two years of Carter's contract. Carter told the Tallahassee Democrat that he expects to be paid for the balance of his contract, a figure that may exceed $300,000. Carter said his annual salary is $130,000 and he will be paid through April 22, leaving roughly three months of the third year of his contract unaccounted for.
ReplyDeleteAmmons dodged detailing his plan for handling that conversation.
No wonder we are broke!
That's a little far fetched. I think Ammons has a plan to bring FAMU back to prestige in all departments. As an alumnus, it is encouraging to see that POOR performance will not be tolerated on ANY level. I think it is smart for him to allow people (esp. from the former dictatorship; I mean interim presidency) to FIRE themselves by piss-poor performance rather than scrapping the entire thing all at once. Good move, President Ammons,
ReplyDeletePeople let's not think for one minute that the financial impact has not been considered. Having worked with Dr. Ammons on fiscal affairs, he has without a doubt accounted for every penny before firing Carter and bringing in a new coach. The bottom line is athletics has to sustained it's own financial backing for survival. Unless all the people who comment on these MB's are donating $100,000 and up per year, it really does not matter what we comment about.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! All salaries, esp. athletics, are PERFORMANCED BASED. The win/loss factor affects the bottom line, fan loyalty which impacts ticket sales, boosters, etc. This is the right decision. Let's keep it movin'!
ReplyDeleteThe cost of keeping a loser like Carter on board far out weigh the cost of getting rid of him. We can no longer have a football program that relies on the band to sale tickets! The product we put on the field must be good enough to warrant fans parting with their hard earned money!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat goes around, comes around! Ask Cater!
ReplyDeleteOn the UGA blog, reports are saying that FAMU has asked permission to talk to John Eason (associate head football coach) for the athletic director's position at FAMU. Many know that Eason is transitioning out of coaching, maybe this time he will listen and come home.
ReplyDeleteFor those that don't know, here is a brief bio of Eason; come home John come home.
ReplyDeleteJohn Eason, former wide receivers coach at Florida State University and offensive coordinator at South Carolina, was named assistant head coach and wide receivers coach at UGA in January, 2001, and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2005.
Coaching Experience:
1970-71, Vanguard H.S. - Ocala, Fla.; 1973-79, Leon H.S. - Tallahassee,Fla.; 1981-94, Florida State (Wide Receivers); 1995-98, South Carolina (Asst. Head Coach, Off. Coord., Wide Receivers); 2000, Toronto Argonauts (Assoc. Head Coach, Off. Coord.); 2001-04, Georgia (Asst. Head Coach, Wide Receivers); 2005-07, (Assoc. Head Coach, Wide Receivers).
Playing Experience:
Montreal Alouettes (1972) -- Oakland Raiders (1968) -- Florida A&M (1966-68) -- Set the school record for most touchdowns receiving, highest punting average, and longest punt...1966-67 All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team ...SIAC Player of the Year...American Football Coaches Association Small College All-America team. Howard H.S. (1959-63) -- All-State wide receiver...also played defensive back.
During his six years at UGA, he has been part of a staff that has led Georgia to 61 victories, two SEC championships, three SEC Eastern Division titles, four bowl victories, and four top ten finishes in the final national polls. In 2002, the Bulldogs finished as the SEC's top scoring (32.14 ppg) and pass efficiency (138.91) offense and in 2005, led the SEC in passing efficiency (144.0) and was second in scoring offense (29.5 ppg). Eason also coached Georgia's all-time career pass receiving leader and first team All-SEC performer Terrence Edwards, along with fellow All-SEC first team selections Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown.
Eason, who has a Ph.D. degree (1987) in Educational Administration from FSU, also served as an assistant professor in the Department of Human Service and Wellness at the University of Central Florida in 1999-2000. In addition, he held positions as offensive coordinator and associate head coach of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League during the 2000 season while on leave from UCF.
Eason served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at South Carolina from 1995-98 following 12 years as wide receivers coach at FSU from 1981-94. During his tenure at FSU, the Seminoles won one national championship (1993) and eight bowl games—two Orange, two Fiesta, one Cotton, one Sugar, one Blockbuster, and one All-American. In his 12 seasons, Eason coached seven wide receivers who received All-America recognition including three first team selections — Lawrence Dawsey, Tamrick Vanover, and Kez McCorvey.
A bachelor's and master's degree graduate from Florida A&M University, Eason also served as an Assistant to the Athletic Director for Academic/Student Affairs during a tenure at FSU which actually began in 1981.
After graduating from Florida A&M, Eason played one season with the Oakland Raiders (1968) in which they won the AFL Western Division championship. While at Florida A&M, Eason set the school record for most touchdowns receiving, highest punting average, and longest punt. He was named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team in 1966-67, was named the SIAC Player of the Year, and to the American Football Coaches Association Small College All-America Team.
He is married to the former Vanessa Long of Tallahassee, Fla. They have two children, Amanda, 24, and Michael, 22.
Dr. Ammons is doing a wonderful job thus far... Remember everyone it is the Athletic "Football" and "Basketball" Programs that bring in BIG dollars to support the Universities... IF IT IS RAN RIGHT, PROPERLY MANAGED, PEOPLE ARE IN PLACE FOR THE RIGHT PURPOSE.... look at the other institutions PLEASE LET THE MAN WORK -
ReplyDeleteDR. AMMONS HAS GREAT VISION FOR THIS UNIVERSITY, HE IS BEING LEAD BY A HIGHER POWER THAN YOU AND I "GOD".
"Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth
and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
PSALM 25:4-5
LIKE I SAID BE STILL!!!
"LET THE MAN WORK"
and lean not to your own understanding.
This was posted on the Rattler Nation Article/Blog - Best of the Bands at the Classic...
ReplyDeleteI feel that the Alumni Association, Student Activities/SGA/Recoration, etc... need to plan this or who ever....
Anonymous said...
The Marching 100, cheerleaders, strikers, venom dancers, and any other spirit teams need to hold a hugh pep rally in Bragg stadium for free at 12 noon the saturday before the students leave to go home .. to lift the spirits of the students, administration, staff, faculty, supporters, community leaders, Tallahassee, and anyone who'd come.... 12 noon saturday before everyone depart for the Christmas / New Year Break... and when everyone report back to school have another one to ring in the new year... THE MORAL AT THE SCHOOL IS TTTTOOOOO LOW......
Not a money maker a pep rally
Then all in attendance need to hold hands around the entire campus from adams street to famu way to behind the stadium around to orange avenue.... and PRAY for our university and ask that the "dark cloud" over the horizon be lifted....
Make it Happen!!!!!!!!!!!!
11/19/2007 12:07 PM
Anonymous said...
THE ANONYMOUS POST AT 12:07 P.M. IS A GREAT!!! IDEA... HOPE SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH AND MAKE IT HAPPEN....!!!!
11/19/2007 4:09 PM
Someone said the Senator, who..Al Lawson?, will be out of a job real soon. I put my money on Senator Lawson becoming the next Athletic Director!!!! This should be interesting...
ReplyDelete4:20, why are you on this blog addressing this matter? Are the two related? Let the Feds do what they do while Dr. Ammons and his team forge Famu forward. Geesh, who's payroll are you on? The Asinine Police? We are talking about the athletic program. Stick to the subject or stop blogging.
ReplyDeleteJohn Eason would never make a good head coach.
ReplyDeleteThe changing grade thing is serious, but it will be solved and FAMU will be okay. This is nowhere near as serious as UGA cheating on the Pharmacy exam or the cheating scandal that rocked FSU a few years ago. Grade changing is not unique to FAMU. It happens at most white colleges, including the ones in Florida. Some people like to feel that any problems at FAMU are the worst in the universe. That simply isn't true.
Now back to the subject. My vote for AD is Valdosta's Herb Rhienhard, former rattler kicker.
I don't think the Federal Government investigated the University of Georgia. It looks like a federal offense was committed. This is not the NCAAs people. These are the Feds.
ReplyDeleteAgain, President Ammons INVOLVED the Feds. We are not diminishing the seriousness, it's just important to not spin the facts to create the scandalous air that you are attempting to create. Be fair to our leader, school, and the investigative process.
ReplyDeleteFSU athletes have NCAA woes
ReplyDeleteNearly two dozen facing punishment
By Steve Ellis
DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER
Originally published September 27, 2007
Nearly two dozen Florida State student-athletes from seven varsity sports, including 15 scholarship athletes, face punishment by the university and the NCAA for academic misconduct. The athletes do not include any from men's basketball or baseball. No football players who have competed in games this season are involved.
FSU President T.K. Wetherell sent the NCAA a letter via overnight mail Tuesday detailing the initial results of a six-month investigation conducted by the university's Office of Audit Services. In the letter to David Price, the NCAA's vice-president for enforcement services, Wetherell wrote that "approximately 130" student-athletes and "numerous" staff employees were interviewed as part of the investigation.
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Some of the athletes who face possible punishments have already been withheld from athletic competitions this fall.
"We're embarrassed," Wetherell said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. "We think we have a good program - 500 kids that are mostly doing it right. We have a bunch of kids who didn't do right. That's embarrassing. I'm concerned about what the ramifications are to the university. We made our own beds. We can't deny that."
Wetherell ordered the internal investigation in March when his office was informed that a tutor hired by the athletic department directed a student-athlete to complete an online quiz for another student-athlete and provided the answers for that quiz.
An investigation into that allegation found that the same employee provided typing services for five athletes. Within two working days of those allegations surfacing, the employee was placed on administrative leave by the university. The employee resigned in July.
The investigation into that employee led to the discovery that another employee provided improper academic assistance to 23 student-athletes by providing answers or directing them to answers for online quizzes. Each of the student-athletes was enrolled in the same online course.
"These are the facts and they are undisputed at this time," Wetherell said. "You could make a pretty good case that the faculty did not do a very good job of protecting the integrity of the test."
Most of the athletes involved compete in spring sports. Baseball, the highest-profile spring sport, is not impacted. None of the FSU athletes who took part in the NCAA track and field championships last summer are involved.
Yep Senator Al Lawson is who I meant.
ReplyDeleteLook at the blame shifting. I did not see FSU say FAMU does it when a problem was found across the tracks. Nope they assumed responsibility. I guess at FAMU that is not in the school's vocabulary. Look look everyone else is doing it.
ReplyDeleteNCAA is quite a bit different from the FEDERAL GOV'T.
Why are the Feds involved? Because it involves federal money. THIS IS SERIOUS!
I don't think the article was to shift blame. I perceive that it was to spotlight the commonality of internal problems, regardless of the investigating entity. T-town pundits MAGNIFY any problem at FAMU and makes it an attribution of the entire university, even to the credibility of its mission and existence. It is unfair, and it must stop. Clearly, many do not value who we are but we are on the ROAD to RECOVERY. Just give us time.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is how many of you "alums" are not going to write bigger checks to our beloved alma mater?
ReplyDeleteDo you even know when your local alumni chapter meets?
What is the cost of the dues?
*smh*
Why do I want to write a check when people are stealing and misbehaving?
ReplyDeleteWe really need to chill with that! The documented improprieties did not happen on Dr. Ammons' watch. To penalize the current administration with the boycott of our funds is ridiculous. We alums are going to have to stop talking rhetoric and put our monies where our mouths are. If you are not writing a check, then step aside and watch those of us who are positioning ourselves to give our beloved FAMU a fighting chance, do just that. That is why the media so craftedly put our business on the front page. If they make the empowerment structure (alums) skeptical, we will not support and they will be able to take over. Let's get a clue and FINANCIALLY support FAMU!
ReplyDeleteI have financially supported FAMU for the last 25 years and will continue to do so. In fact, I just increased my monthly donation to the university.
ReplyDeleteFAMU is the best, period!!! To those who think otherwise, your mind is playing tricks on you.
WE LOVE FAMU!!! FAMU IS THE BEST!!!
My check is on the way.
Ammons has had his 100 days of honeymoon. FAMU's problems ARE NOW Ammons problems!
ReplyDeleteAnd he is solving them instead of politicizing them. Again, for every dissenter and troop of CVB residue, either get on the bus to make FAMU better, or shut up! We knew these days were coming. It is the job of competent leadership to discover the problems and provide solutions. All of the sophomoric comments and blame have run their course. Let's help our beloved FAMU solve the problems with our support and prayers. Happy T-giving Day!
ReplyDeleteAmmons hired that punk County Commissioner Proctor! The brotha don't even show up to class. What kind of judgement was that? Ammons is part of the problem. He also just re hired on old assistant football coach who was part of the problem when the NCAA hit us with probation for all the nonsense that was going on in the dept. Why?
ReplyDelete11/22/2007 6:11 PM
ReplyDeleteAmmons...also just re hired on old assistant football coach who was part of the problem when the NCAA hit us with probation for all the nonsense that was going on in the dept.
Well said. He was rehired because we HAVE to keep it in the FAMU family. Hell if we hired an outsider he might blow the whistle on us! Bet Ammons will rehire Billy Joe 'cause he knows how to circle the FAMU waggons and keep us out of the sunshine.
Well said. He was rehired because we HAVE to keep it in the FAMU family. Hell if we hired an outsider he might blow the whistle on us! Bet Ammons will rehire Billy Joe 'cause he knows how to circle the FAMU waggons and keep us out of the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteSo much for change! I am tired of these brothas rubbin' each other backs! We need new blood, not recycled old timers!
Coach Alan Bogan was not REHIRED. He's already a FAMU employee and was appointed INTERIM AD until a permanent one is hired. Damn!! What's so hard about that to understand? Dr. Ammons is a very capable president and will hire a very qualified head football coach and AD, just like he said. Where do some of you gossiping ally cats come from?
ReplyDeleteBilly Joe will not be hired by FAMU to do anything. He's 67 years old, retired, and should stay retired. End of story.
This is what we need to realize; NONE OF US ARE IN LEADERSHIP! Sometimes in our zealousness we show our ignorance because we are not privied to all of the information to be competent in our opinions. There are more calculated reasons that has caused this resignation and firing to occur. It is easy to talk when you are in the back seat. Let's Ammons drive since he has the directions. I'm just saying...
ReplyDelete11:33--and so, what does BJ's age have to do with competence? He was a good coach who got an absolutely raw deal from the CVB regime. I think he ought to be considered. Unless, of course, you're throwing your hat in the ring.
ReplyDeleteWho was responsible for the NCAA sanctions that robbed our sports of scholarships?
ReplyDeleteEason as AD! Billy Joe as Head Coach, for the next 3-5 years. Then Ron Broadway, formerly at NCCU now at Grambling!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr. Ammons for having the "balls" to do what needs to be done. Keep cleaning out the mess!
ReplyDeleteDo you think Eason is that dumb. Leave UGA for this snake pit. No way.......leave a great university like UGA for our banana republic!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I can't believe you just said that! How unFAMU-like is that?! Banana republic?! And you say OUR? Geesh, find another school and do us all a favor!
ReplyDeleteIf the MEAC Champions Delaware State just got clobbered in the first round of the playoffs by Delaware, and FAMU finished second to last in the M-E-A-C, then Rubin Carter should have been fired, along with his entire coaching staff, Nelson Townsend and his entire staff, and we should hire Billy Joe tonight.
ReplyDeleteAt least we will dominate the league again and be representative in the playoffs.
The MEAC has got to be the weakest conference in all of D-1 football and we finished second to last. How can anybody rank a MEAC team highly next season with this kind of showing in the playoffs. It's a joke!
Thanks Dr. Ammons for making a change. Hire Billy Joe tonight and let's return our program to prominence! I don't care if Coach Joe coaches from the roof! We will not be embarrassed like this!
7:48 am
ReplyDeleteYour question:Who was responsible for the NCAA sanctions that robbed our sports of scholarships?
The compliance office is responsible for making sure that all athletes are in eligible according to the NCAA and MEAC. Because that office was short staffed, violations occurred. The majority of the violations was not in football, they had some and the other sports made up the total with track & field with the most.
The compliance office is responsible for making sure that student-athletes have the correct GPA as well as meeting all the requirements to be a student athlete at FAMU as well as other Universities. Coaches rely on compliance to check to make sure that a student is eligible even when they are being recruited.
For the record, football had the Most infractions with track & field the Least.
ReplyDeleteWho was responsible for the NCAA sanctions that robbed our sports of scholarships?
ReplyDeleteThe former AD and the drunk white boy we had for a compliance officer!
First, you can not plant corn today and expect a crop tomorrow. Coach Carter was cleaning up our academic situation and got hit with critical attritions and injuries causing him to rely heavily on freshman and sophomores. These young players will be the nucleus of our future team. Being impatient people, we became upset after the loss to the BCU Wildcats, and threw the entire coaching staff overboard. Five years would have not been a long time to rebuild a football program.
ReplyDeleteCoach R. Hubbard is still in town and Coach B. Joe would make a good Athletic Director.
Coach Hubbard would be very beneficial to our football program. He was a master salesman of FAMU & a great motivator. He convinced a player (Tony Hayes) to sigh with FAMU who had 75 scholarship offers from schools, including Notre Dame, FSU, etc.
ReplyDeleteHubbard is the reason that we were able to expand Bragg Stadium, build a field house, and a new track. Nothing has improved since he left. The man is good and still loves FAMU.
Well Carter planted that corn a year or more and we reaped what he sow. Remember, the first winning season was based on Joe's recruits, juniors and seniors, and by the second season they were gone.
ReplyDeleteThis season is all Carter's. Go figure.
"The majority of Coach Joe's players were walkons. Joe was a poor recruiter and left us with a few players that are a disgrace to a rattler uniform..."
ReplyDeleteWhat idiot wrote the above? I guess that's why Coach Joe's team dominated the MEAC and went to the playoffs every year before Corbin and Company interfered with his program.
In fact, Coach Joe is the only HBCU coach to get to the semi-finals of the 1-AA playoffs in more recent time. Your players have to be pretty bad to accomplish that, right? And is Quinn Gray playing well for the Jax Jaguars? Yeah, he was a disgrace to the Rattler uniform, right?
You sound like Albert Chester, Sr. or the Ray Matthews (Sr. and Jr.) crew.
SHUT THE HELL UP!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteLook at the blame shifting. I did not see FSU say FAMU does it when a problem was found across the tracks. Nope they assumed responsibility. I guess at FAMU that is not in the school's vocabulary. Look look everyone else is doing it.
NCAA is quite a bit different from the FEDERAL GOV'T.
Why are the Feds involved? Because it involves federal money. THIS IS SERIOUS!
11/21/2007 9:30 PM
They are thinking it or saying behind closed doors...
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAmmons has had his 100 days of honeymoon. FAMU's problems ARE NOW Ammons problems!
11/22/2007 3:20 PM
^^^. That's old news!
What moon have you falling from. Dr. Ammons has taken responsibility for everthing at FAMU since July 2 and has vowed to correct these ills. And you said it not me.
He's been on the job 100 days...
Give the man some damn breathing room.