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These three coaching staffs changed Florida A&M football forever - Florida A&M football has a storied history, winning 17 black college national championships and numerous conference titles.
- Legendary coach Jake Gaither established a dynasty from 1945-1969 and used football as a tool for social change.
- The 1978 team, under coach Rudy Hubbard, won the first-ever NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) National Championship.
- Willie Simmons' 2023 coaching staff led the Rattlers to a Celebration Bowl victory and the program's 16th Black College Football National Championship.
At Florida A&M, greatness on the football field is a deep tradition.
Few programs in Historically Black College and University football can match the Rattlers legacy, one built on championships, All-Americans, and a standard that has resonated for generations.
The Rattlers, who fielded their first modern era team in 1938 under William Bell, have won 17 black college football national championships, 29 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) titles, eight MEAC titles, one SWAC title, and one I-AA national title in the history of their program.
Bell laid the foundation, posting a 45-9-6 record in six seasons and putting FAMU football on solid ground.
But it was his assistant, Jake Gaither, who turned that foundation into a dynasty taking over in 1945 and transforming the Rattlers into a powerhouse that captured six Black College national titles and redefined excellence at an HBCU.
Gaither also used football as a tool for social change, as his 1969 team played the first interracial college football game in the South against the University of Tampa.
Overall, Gaither compiled an incredible career record of 204-36-4 (.844 winning percentage) during his 25 seasons (1945-69).
Other head coaches followed Gaither and also enjoyed historic success at times, including Rudy Hubbard (1974-85), Ken Riley (1986-93), Billy Joe (1994-2004), and Willie Simmons (2018-23).
The program, of course, has also produced dominant players whose success has spanned generations, including Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees "Bullet" Bob Hayes and Riley, multiple Super Bowl champions, pioneers, and all-time FAMU favorites.
Now it's Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.'s opportunity as the Rattlers' new head coach to build on the program's rich tradition.
Gray was one of the most celebrated quarterbacks in program history, leading the Rattlers to consecutive MEAC titles (2000-01) and finishing as the school's all-time record holder in multiple categories, including passing yards (7,378).
All that said, it's time to unveil the Tallahassee Democrat's selections for the program's three greatest coaching staffs.
Who is FAMU football's greatest coaching staff? FAMU football's 1969 coaching staff, led by Jake Gaither In his 25th and final season at FAMU, Gaither agreed to a game that served as a monumental milestone in American sports history.
On Nov.
29, 1969, at Tampa Stadium, FAMU stepped into more than just a football game it stepped into history.
For the first time in the Deep South, a traditionally Black university faced a predominantly white institution on the field.
The Rattlers showed up and delivered.
Behind quarterback Steven Scruggs, FAMU outlasted Tampa in a back-and-forth shootout, 3428, a game that produced a staggering 1,135 combined yards and unfolded before a sold-out crowd of 47,788.
It was more than a victory; it was a statement.
At the game's conclusion, according to media reports, Tampa coach Fran Curci ran across the field and put his arm around Gaither, telling him, "Jake, you had the best team, you deserved to win," an iconic moment that shattered local racial stereotypes Gaither and FAMU ended their season 8-1 (4-0 in conference play), captured the SIAC Division I championship, finished ranked No.
16 in the final AP small college poll, and capped the year with an Orange Blossom Classic victory over Grambling.
Jake Gaither, head coach: Gaither compiled a career record of 204-36-4 (.844 winning percentage) during his 25 seasons (1945-69).
Robert Griffin, defensive assistant/line: The longtime defensive strategist who succeeded Gaither as head coach in 1970.
Robert Mungen, assistant coach: Also a former Rattler player.
Acosta Kittles, assistant coach/receivers: A former Gaither All-American who balanced football assistant duties with running the FAMU baseball program.
Edward Oglesby, assistant coach/backfield: Helped manage Gaither's signature "Split-T" offensive formation.
FAMU football's 1978 coaching staff, led by Rudy Hubbard The 1978 season under Hubbard has often been described as the crowning achievement in the program's history, culminating in the inaugural NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) National Championship.
Hubbard guided FAMU to a 12-1 overall record, beating Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic and Eddie Robinson's Grambling State in the Orange Blossom Classic.
The latter captured the Black College National Championship and a playoff berth.
Having successfully petitioned the NCAA for Division I-AA classification that year, historians noted that FAMU permanently altered the college football landscape by proving that an HBCU could dominate on an integrated national tournament stage.
The Rattlers beat fellow HBCU power Jackson State 15-10 in the national semifinals, followed by a 35-28 win over UMass in the title game in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Hubbard was triumphantly carried off the field by his players as the university became the first in the state of Florida to capture an official NCAA football national title.
Rudy Hubbard, head coach: Hired in 1974 after serving as an assistant coach under legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes, Hubbard spent 12 seasons at FAMU (19741985) and compiled an 83-48-3 record.
He was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Fred Goldsmith, defensive coordinator: Architect of the nation's No.
1-ranked total defense in 1978.
Went on to become the head coach at Duke.
Amos Hill, defensive line: Tutored the dominant championship nose tackles and front line.
Bobby Lang, assistant coach: Worked closely alongside Hill managing the front seven of the 5-2 defense.
Acosta "Costa" Kittles, offensive coordinator: A legendary FAMU figure and former All-American player under Jake Gaither, Kittles served as Hubbard's primary offensive coordinator.
Allen "Al" Bogan, offensive line: Bogan pulled double duty, serving alongside Kittles as a co-offensive architect and directly coaching the offensive line.
He was instrumental in mentoring three-time All-American guard Tyrone McGriff.
Mark Orlando, offensive backfield Responsible for executing the disciplined rushing attack and helped develop fullback Mike Solomon and running back Ike Williams.
FAMU football's 2023 coaching staff, led by Willie Simmons A Quincy native, Simmons relied heavily on local connections during his time at FAMU by employing a staff filled with Tallahassee and Big Bend area natives.
The staff included former Power Four college football stars.
The staff led the Rattlers to a 12-1 record and an unbeaten 8-0 mark in the programs Southwestern Athletic Conference en route to winning the Celebration Bowl to claim FAMUs 16th Black College Football National Championship.
FAMU dominated Prairie View A&M 35-14 in Tallahassees SWAC championship game, led by current New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings and former safety Javan Morgan, who were rewarded the Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Player awards for the matchup.
Two weeks later, the Rattlers completed a comeback victory over the Howard University Bison to win the Celebration Bowl 30-26, led by running back Kelvin Dean Jr.s heroics.
Simmons won SWAC Coach of the Year, quarterback Jeremy Moussa was named Offensive Player of the Year, and linebacker Isaiah Major earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The Rattlers ranked fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll to end the season.
- Willie Simmons, Head Coach: Quincy native and former star quarterback known as 'Shotgun' at James A.
Shanks High School before playing collegiately at Clemson and The Citadel.
Simmons left FAMU to become Duke's running backs coach and is now the head coach at Florida International University at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
- Ryan Smith, Associate Head Coach/Head Coach of the Defense/Linebackers Coach: A Perry native who played college football at Valdosta State University.
Orchestrated FAMU's 'Dark Cloud Defense,' which ranked first in the FCS.
Now the linebackers coach at FIU, on Simmons' staff.
- James Colzie III, Assistant Head Coach/Cornerbacks Coach: Former Florida State cornerback, who also played baseball for the Seminoles.
Arrived at FAMU and moved up the coaching hierarchy, becoming the head coach in 2024 for two seasons.
- Joseph Henry, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach: Former Arkansas Razorbacks player, who's spent countless years on Simmons' staffs in multiple stops.
Currently, the Director of Football Analytics at FIU, with Simmons.
- Doc Gamble, Special Teams Coordinator: Former Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach, who led the program to a SWAC West division title in 2020.
Currently, the tight ends coach and co-special teams coach at Bethune-Cookman.
- Milton Patterson, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach: Defensive line mastermind who developed former FAMU star edge rusher Isaiah Land, who's now with the Dallas Cowboys.
Left FAMU for the NFL to be a defensive assistant for the New England Patriots during their 2026 Super Bowl appearance.
Now the associate at Alabama State.
- Antonio 'AC' Carter, Offensive Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach: Tallahassee native and James S.
Rickards alum who went on to play college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Now coaches wide receivers at Alabama A&M.
- Marcus Windham, Offensive Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs Coach: Former Delta State University football star, with NFL fellowship and Senior Bowl coaching experience.
Now the wide receivers coach at Alabama State.
- Davon Morgan, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Safeties Coach: Former Virginia Tech star who also played in the NFL with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
Now the head coach at Bluefield State University.
- James Spady, Tight Ends Coach: Former star lineman at the University of Texas at El Paso, who went on to become head coach at Alabama A&M before arriving at FAMU.
- Pat Watkins, Nickelbacks Coach: Tallahassee native and Lincoln High School graduate who went on to play for the Florida State Seminoles.
Had an NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and in the CFL, where he was a three-time all-star and two-time Grey Cup champion.
Now the defensive coordinator at Amos P.
Godby High School in Tallahassee.
- Lejohn 'Izzy' Howard, Offensive Graduate Assistant: Former FAMU quarterback breaking into the coaching profession.
- Casey Warming, Volunteer Coach: A Tallahassee native who starred at Lincoln High School before playing college football at Grambling State University.
Has moved up FAMU's coaching ladder and is now the tight ends coach for the Rattlers.
- Devin Rispress, Director of Recruiting: Tallahassee native who played for Rickards High School and then Bethune-Cookman, earning the nickname the 'Rispress Express' as a dominant running back.
As a recruiting ace, Rispress coached at the high school level for years, then joined FAMU in 2022, left to work on Deion Sanders' Colorado staff in 2024, and is now Florida State's director of recruiting.