Hello Bill Hayes; Goodbye Billy Joe

FAMU Coaching Legend William "Billy" Joe was introduced as the new head football coach at Div. II Miles College, Fairfield, AL, on the same day that new Rattler AD William "Bill" Hayes was introduced to the Tallahassee community.

"My sabbatical is over with," said Joe, who spent last season out of coaching. "I took some time out for rest, research and travel. Now, I am invigorated, I'm energized and I'm ready to go back to work."

Joe, 67, ranks behind only Eddie Robinson in victories at historically black colleges with 237 wins in 31 seasons as a head coach at three schools, including Florida A&M.

Miles went 2-9 last season and had to forfeit its five wins the previous year for using an ineligible player.

With a 237-108-4 career mark, Joe ranks fourth alltime in the Football Championship Subdivision in wins. He led FAMU to five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles in 11 seasons, including seven straight playoff trips and a semifinals appearance in 1999.

Hayes introduced to media

New Athletic Director Bill Hayes said let's skip the formalities he needs about 100 Rattlers to step up to the plate with $1,000 checks to help him "build a Rattler nation". Everybody can be a philanthropist, but not at the same level.

Hayes is the fifth permanent athletic director at FAMU since 2002 and the seventh overall if you include interim athletic directors E. Newton Jackson and Allen Bogan.

"I was told I'm the seventh athletic director since 2002," Hayes said. "That's a hell of a number. I like it."

Hayes has been charged, among other things, starting a successful fundraising campaign for the athletic department.

Hayes wasted little time getting on with that task, asking for $100,000 for the athletic department.

"You ask people to give. You ask people to buy into your program. You acknowledge their gift. This is one of the strongest alumni basses in the country. I know people are poised and ready to give."


Harris said "Hayes' experience as a coach is a plus in his position as athletic director. There is a lot of healing to be done from the past administration."

When asked if any personnel changes should be expected with his arrival, Hayes responded as only a coach would.

" When asked by a reporter about the search for a head football coach. Hayes said he was way ahead of the reporter.

Also see: Joe a class act until the end

Hayes is new AD