FAMU has announced the appointment of an advisory committee
that will assist with hiring a new head football coach.
The nine-member committee will be chaired by John Wooten,
chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA), a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to equal opportunity in the hiring of coaches, front office
executives, and scouting staff throughout the National Football League
(NFL). Wooten, a former NFL player, provided guidance in developing the FPA’s
vision and has helped it become the leading advocate for racial equality in the
NFL.
Wooten played for the Cleveland Browns from 1959 to 1967 and
the Washington Redskins from 1967 to 1968. He created player development
programs for the NFL in 1991. Wooten also served as vice president for player
personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992 and assistant director of
professional and college scouting for the Baltimore Ravens until his retirement
in 2002.
Commenting on his selection as chairman of the advisory committee Wooten said, “It’s an honor and a privilege for me to be able to assist Florida A&M University with hiring a coach who will not only develop the football program but who will also play a positive role in helping FAMU achieve its long-term vision of becoming a best-in-class university.”
“After having being involved with the NFL for almost 50 years, I am aware of the role that sports plays in molding student-athletes into contributing members of society. I also know the importance of athletics in building and shaping an institution’s image and brand,” Wooten added.
“John Wooten brings an extraordinary track record of
leadership and professionalism to this advisory committee,” said Athletic
Director Kellen Winslow. “We are extremely pleased to have him lead this
very important search process. The committee will surely benefit from his
insight. I am certain that with the help of John, and the entire esteemed
committee, we will find the best person to lead FAMU’s football program.”
Members of the advisory committee include:
· Tyrone Willingham, former head football coach at Stanford, Notre Dame, and the University of Washington and a member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee;
· Tommy Mitchell, two-time president of the FAMU National Alumni Association, who played three years with the Harlem Globetrotter;
· Dr. Ebenezer Oriaku, professor in the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and faculty athletic representative;
· Natalie White, a member of the President’s Alumni Advisory Board for Athletics, who helped the FAMU Rattlerettes win two regular season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, and is a member of the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame;
· Herb Reinhard, the athletic director at Valdosta State University and a member of the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame; Reinhard previously served as associate athletic director for marketing and development at FAMU;
· Nelson Townsend, a member of the President’s Alumni Advisory Board for Athletics, who served two terms as athletic director of at FAMU. Townsend also served as athletic director at Maryland Eastern Shore University and the University of Buffalo;
· Jamey Shouppe, FAMU’s head baseball coach who previously served as a coach with USA baseball and as pitching coordinator for 18-up Summer.
· Ronnie Mackey Jr., the vice president of the FAMU Student Government Association, who will serve as a student representative. Mackey is a broadcast journalism student and plans to pursue a master’s degree in sports administration.
Winslow expects to name a permanent head coach by January
2015.