The Direct Support Organization and Athletics Committee of the FAMU Board of Trustees once again rejected a proposed three-year employment contract for the new FAMU mens basketball coach, Patrick Crarey II, during a meeting on Tuesday.
After much deliberation, the committee voted 6-2 in favor of offering Crarey a one-year contract, with the intention of re-evaluating his performance after the upcoming season. The decision was framed as a measure to protect the institution financially and to ensure that the university secures the best available talent.
Crarey, who coached at the NAIA level, was selected from a pool of 51 candidates to lead the Rattlers. He replaces Robert McCullum, who led the Rattlers for seven seasons going a disappointing 67-133.
Kelvin Lawson, who proposed the motion for the one-year contract, emphasized the committee's stance, stating, "The goal is not to be punitive. The goal is to protect the institution financially to ensure that we’re getting the best available talent for the roles we have available. This approach allows us a degree of protection."
Crarey's employment agreement is currently listed on the full FAMU Board of Trustees' consent agenda for its August 8 meeting, which is part of the board's Orlando retreat. However, there is a possibility that the item may be pulled from the agenda.
The discussion surrounding Crarey's contract has been ongoing since June, when it was discovered that university officials delayed bringing his contract to the Board. The delay was due to the revelation that the contract was signed in April without the knowledge or approval of the trustees, leading to questions about the process and communication within the university's leadership.
The decision to offer a one-year contract instead of the initially proposed three-year deal represents some members of the board's growing frustration with embattled AD Tiffani Dawn-Sykes and her lack of transparency with the search process which led to Crarey's selection.
Lawson, and other board members, argued that the one-year contract provides the university with the flexibility to assess Crarey's performance and the program's direction before committing to a longer-term agreement.
As the FAMU community awaits the outcome of the August 8 meeting, the debate over the best approach to securing the future of the basketball program continues. The university's leadership and the Board of Trustees are expected to address these concerns and provide clarity on the direction they intend to take moving forward.