Tallahassee, FL – Florida A&M University has officially parted ways with head football coach James Colzie III after a turbulent and deeply frustrating 2025 season. The decision ends a short but controversial tenure defined by inconsistent play, blowout losses, questionable personnel choices, and an erosion of fan confidence in the direction of the Rattlers program.
The move comes as no surprise to the FAMU community. Expectations in Tallahassee are championship level, and Colzie struggled to meet them from the moment the season began.
Failure to Beat Key Rivals Was the Breaking Point
One of the biggest factors in Colzie’s firing was his inability to defeat the teams Rattler Nation demands results against: Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, and Bethune-Cookman.
- Jackson State: Colzie never defeated the Tigers. In 2025, JSU not only beat FAMU again—they humiliated the Rattlers in Tallahassee, exposing major competitive and coaching deficiencies.
- Mississippi Valley State: Losing to one of the SWAC’s historically weakest programs was considered unacceptable for a roster as talented as FAMU’s.
- 2025 Florida Classic: The season-ending loss to rival Bethune-Cookman was the final straw for many supporters. Losing the Classic under any circumstances draws heat; losing it after an already disappointing season intensified calls for change.
Rattler Nation made it clear: losing rivalry games is the fastest way to lose the fanbase.
Home Blowouts Fueled the Perception of a Program in Decline
FAMU’s home field at Bragg Memorial Stadium is supposed to be a fortress. Instead, it became a place where opponents delivered statement wins.
During the 2025 season, FAMU was blown out at home by:
- North Carolina Central,
- Alabama State, and
- Jackson State.
These weren’t close losses or competitive battles—they were lopsided defeats that highlighted systemic breakdowns on both sides of the ball. The inability to defend home turf sent shockwaves through the alumni base and undermined confidence in Colzie’s leadership.
Quarterback Development Issues: The RJ Johnson vs. Jett Peddy Debate
Another key issue that contributed to Colzie’s dismissal was the lack of development at the quarterback position.
Sophomore QB RJ Johnson, a physically gifted player with strong upside, failed to progress into a consistent, accurate passer under Colzie’s staff. Johnson flashed potential but never found rhythm, consistency, or leadership presence.
Meanwhile, JUCO All-American quarterback Jett Peddy sat on the bench. Fans repeatedly questioned why a proven college passer—recruited specifically to compete for the starting job—never got a real opportunity.
The situation raised serious concerns about:
- talent evaluation,
- offensive coaching philosophy,
- decision-making over the course of games, and
- the staff’s ability to maximize the roster.
In modern college football, quarterback play drives winning. FAMU simply didn’t get enough of it.
The Albany State Struggle and the Rise of Quinn Gray Talk
The lowest point of the season may not have been a loss at all—it was the near disaster against Albany State, a Division II program FAMU should have outclassed from start to finish.
Instead, the Rattlers scraped by, looking unprepared, unfocused, and poorly coached. The performance intensified calls for Quinn Gray, a former FAMU quarterback and respected coach within HBCU circles, to be named the next head coach.
The chant grew louder as the season unraveled:
“Give Quinn Gray the keys.”
That groundswell of support created a comparison Colzie could not escape.
A Needed Reset for a Proud Program
FAMU football has championship expectations. With a strong brand, deep tradition, and some of the best talent in the SWAC, maintaining mediocrity is not an option. The 2025 season showed a program:
- that lacked identity,
- that was out-coached in big games,
- that mismanaged its personnel, and
- that did not improve as the season progressed.
Colzie’s firing signals that the administration agrees with fans: the program must reset immediately if FAMU wants to reclaim its position as the SWAC’s standard-bearer.
What’s Next for the Rattlers?
FAMU now begins its search for a coach who can:
- compete for championships every year,
- develop quarterbacks at a high level,
- dominate the transfer portal,
- recruit at an elite pace, and
- rebuild confidence in Tallahassee.
With names like Quinn Gray already swirling and a passionate fanbase demanding excellence, the next chapter of FAMU football is guaranteed to be one of the most closely watched off-seasons in HBCU sports.
