Former Heisman winner, NBA player Charlie Ward set to become FAMU’s men’s basketball coach: ESPN No description found
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NBA draft pick Charlie Ward is set to become Florida A&M’s men’s basketball coach, according to ESPN .
The school’s board had a meeting on Wednesday to approve his contract.
Ward was the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State and played in the NBA from 1994 to 2005. He was drafted by the New York Knicks and played for the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets.
Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward holds a football and a basketball while wearing a basketball uniform, 1993. (AP Photo/Alan Byrd) (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.) Ward was an assistant coach with the Rockets for two seasons and a high school head coach in Tallahassee and with USA Basketball.
Ward joins Jackson State coach Mo Williams as the only former NBA players coaching in Division I at an HBCU.
FAMU hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2007 and has only been three times in school history.
The Rattlers went 14-17 under Patrick Crarey, who left after one year.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Jonathan Lundy headshot
Hailing from Detroit, Jonathan is excited to start his media career at News4JAX in November 2023. He is passionate about telling stories that matter to the community and he is honored to serve Jacksonville.
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness ▶ 0:43
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida
Bracing for weekend storms ▶ 0:40
Bracing for weekend storms
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions ▶ 1:15
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational ▶ 0:32
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach ▶ 0:15
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend ▶ 0:55
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville ▶ 0:57
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's ▶ 1:54
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's
Study raises concerns over property values if Florida nixes HOAs ▶ 0:49
Study raises concerns over property values if Florida nixes HOAs
Freeze warning, bitter wind chills as new year approaches ▶ 1:14
Freeze warning, bitter wind chills as new year approaches
Fernandina Beach store owner’s funny response to burglary goes viral ▶ 1:57
Fernandina Beach store owner’s funny response to burglary goes viral
That’s a wrap! Thank you for supporting season 1 of ‘Voices of the 904′ ▶ 0:33
That’s a wrap! Thank you for supporting season 1 of ‘Voices of the 904′
‘They’re not indestructible’: Child e-bike injuries jump by almost 4,000% in three years ▶ 0:51
‘They’re not indestructible’: Child e-bike injuries jump by almost 4,000% in three years
Jonas Brothers show to mark last concert at Daily’s Place before closure for stadium renovations ▶ 0:34
Jonas Brothers show to mark last concert at Daily’s Place before closure for stadium renovations
Man killed in officer-involved shooting ▶ 1:15
Man killed in officer-involved shooting
Cold snap returns to Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia ▶ 1:17
Cold snap returns to Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia
Concerns raised after Jacksonville sees 3 pedestrians killed by vehicles in past week ▶ 0:59
Concerns raised after Jacksonville sees 3 pedestrians killed by vehicles in past week
Mizzou fans get in the spirit at Jacksonville Beach pep rally for TaxSlayer Gator Bowl ▶ 0:31
Mizzou fans get in the spirit at Jacksonville Beach pep rally for TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Virginia fans get hyped for TaxSlayer Gator Bowl with pep rally in Jacksonville Beach ▶ 0:31
Virginia fans get hyped for TaxSlayer Gator Bowl with pep rally in Jacksonville Beach
Will the Jacksonville Icemen play Friday night despite ECHL strike? ▶ 0:41
Will the Jacksonville Icemen play Friday night despite ECHL strike?
Community steps up to help after food truck owner's trailer stolen on Christmas morning ▶ 0:27
Community steps up to help after food truck owner's trailer stolen on Christmas morning
Man dies in Christmas Eve shooting outside business near St. Augustine Road: JSO ▶ 0:43
Man dies in Christmas Eve shooting outside business near St. Augustine Road: JSO
Jacksonville family moves into home donated by church after losing everything in apartment fire ▶ 1:12
Jacksonville family moves into home donated by church after losing everything in apartment fire
Watch Katie's hilarious fail at re-gifting gift cards on The Morning Show ▶ 0:58
Watch Katie's hilarious fail at re-gifting gift cards on The Morning Show
Previous photo Next photo