Last year ended with the confetti falling on the Florida A&M Rattlers as they raised the Celebration Bowl trophy, signifying their 2023 Black College Football National Championship win.
But past success has no bearing on what’s to come.
At least, that’s how the Rattlers view it. They vie to avoid stagnancy and add another trophy to Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse’s trophy case.
“Last season is last season. We haven’t done anything in 2024,” said FAMU offensive lineman TJ Lee. “The work restarted after the Celebration Bowl. Now, we’re reloading and going to repeat.”
The FAMU Rattlers lead the BCU Wildcats at the half 27-7 during the Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.
FAMU’s 2024 football season begins in a little over two months as the Rattlers take on the Norfolk State Spartans in Atlanta’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge. It’ll be FAMU’s first time representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference and first appearance since 2013 in the annual game between the two NCAA Division I HBCU conferences.
Opposing teams may be licking their chops when they see the HBCU football title holders Rattlers on the schedule, assuming FAMU to be vulnerable since it’s under the new leadership of head coach James Colzie III and his new-look roster.
This January, Colzie signed a three-year contract worth $270,000 to replace Willie Simmons, who left FAMU to become Duke’s running backs coach after five seasons (2018-2023).
“Our guys understand what’s at stake,” said Colzie, formerly FAMU’s assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach. “No matter who we play, we will get their best. So, we do not want to be caught in that complacency mode.”
Florida A&M head coach James Colzie leads the Rattlers during the FAMU Spring Game on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
After not securing a winning record since…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/complacency-famu-footballs-greatest-adversary-090148963.html
Author : Tallahassee Democrat
Publish date : 2024-06-13 09:01:48
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