Florida A&M stays in-house and names James Colzie head coach

Florida A&M has a soccer coach.

Almost a month after Willie Simmons left this system for Duke, the varsity named assistant James Colzie the varsity’s nineteenth head coach.

He was the Rattlers interim head coach after Simmons’ departure. The search ended what was a tumultuous and intense course of that put Athletics Director Tiffani-Daybreak Sykes underneath hearth by faculty stakeholders after it was reported she had thought of Fort Valley State coach Shawn Gibbs for the place.

Florida A&M assembled a search committee and sought a search agency to help with the method.

“I’m thrilled to announce Coach James Colzie Sick as our new head soccer coach,” Sykes mentioned in an announcement. “Coach Colzie’s dedication as interim head coach and now as our everlasting chief exemplifies his dedication to excellence.”

Colzie has labored in soccer for greater than 20 years and has been a part of three nationwide championship groups. He was a cornerback on Florida State’s first nationwide championship group in 1993. Colzie was beforehand head coach at Saint Mary’s College in Canada, the place he went 23-19.

𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟

James Colzie III has been named the nineteenth head soccer coach at Florida A&M.

📰 https://t.co/BxRYo1k4np#FAMU | #Rattlers | #OurTime pic.twitter.com/IHSJxXZgdD

— Florida A&M Soccer 🏈 (@FAMU_FB) January 27, 2024

Colzie has been a part of a FAMU protection that has ranked among the many nation’s finest throughout his first two seasons.

He was the popular alternative of present FAMU gamers and lots of alums. A letter written by gamers to the varsity’s administration outlined that Colzie needs to be retained to take care of “continuity and stability” throughout the soccer program.

“Coach Colzie has earned the respect of our whole group and training employees and can present the wanted continuity and stability to maintain our championship program headed on its present trajectory,” the letter mentioned. “Additional, Coach Colzie has confirmed himself as a recruiter and has the top teaching expertise crucial to supply a seamless transition from the exceptional Willie Simmons Period of Rattler Soccer into the foreseeable future. Coach Colzie is the best man, at this juncture, to steer our program to even larger heights.“

Stated Colzie about being named coach:“I’m eternally grateful to [FAMU] President Dr. Robinson and our Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Daybreak Sykes for his or her confidence in me,” Colzie mentioned.