FAMU Head Coach Joe Taylor, speaking at the MEAC Football Media Day Luncheon, gave his evaluation of his Rattlers for the coming season. "[Austin] Trainor is our guy," he said in reference to speculation about FAMU's starting quarterback. "Tyler Bass and Dayne James are expected to contribute when needed, but at this point Trainor is undefeated," Taylor said.Bass is a highly touted transfer from the University of Memphis and James is a true freshman from Ft. Lauderdale's Boyd-Anderson High School.
Earlier, several Rattlers were named to the pre-season All-MEAC football--- Offensive lineman Robert Hartley and punter Brandon Holdren made the first team; while five Rattlers made the second team.
Taylor, said with confidence, that with 17 starters returning, the Rattlers should be familiar enough with each other and the system, to be successful this season. He added that the parity in the league had rendered the MEAC a much stronger conference than ever before. "When you bring in successful coaches from the SWAC into historic programs in the MEAC, it makes for a stronger league," Taylor said.
There are five new coaches in the MEAC. Howard's Gary Harrell, who previously coached receivers at FAMU under coach Rubin Carter. Rod Broadway, formerly of Grambling State, is the new coach of North Carolina A&T. Henry Frazier, is the coach at North Carolina Central University. Steve Davenport took over the head position at Savannah State, while Kermit Blount took the head job at Delaware State.
Commissioner Dennis Thomas announced that barring any unforeseen circumstances, North Carolina Central University and Savannah State University would gain full entry into the conference on Sept.1, with full championship competition beginning for the two schools this year. That would bring the total number of football-playing school to 11 in the MEAC. There will still be one nig division, as opposed to breaking up division, as some larger conferences are able to maintain.