Florida A&M reportedly finalizing deal with ex-Heisman winner Charlie Ward to become men's basketball coach
Charlie Ward led Florida State to the 1993 national title after winning the Heisman Trophy. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former New York Knicks guard and Heisman winner Charlie Ward is set to become a college basketball head coach.
According to ESPN, Florida A&M is finishing a deal to hire the ex-Florida State star as its next men's basketball coach. Ward recently served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball during the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit.
Advertisement
The 54-year-old won the 1993 Heisman Trophy while he was a two-sport star with the Seminoles. Ward played guard for the FSU basketball team while also serving as the football team's quarterback. In 1993, he completed nearly 70% of his passes for 3,032 yards and 27 TDs with just four interceptions. He also rushed for 339 yards and four scores.
The Seminoles went 12-1 that season and beat Nebraska 18-16 in the Orange Bowl to win the national title after finishing first in the final AP Top 25 of the season. FSU's only loss came to Notre Dame in November when the Fighting Irish won 31-24 in a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country.
Ward chose basketball over the NFL, however, and was a first-round pick of the Knicks in the 1994 NBA Draft. He played for nine seasons with the franchise before ending his career with the Spurs and Rockets. Ward averaged 6.5 points per game over 580 appearances with the Knicks and shot 41% from the field.
Ward is being lined up to replace Patrick Crarey II after Crarey left the Rattlers to coach Grambling less than a week ago. Crarey was with the school for just one season as the Rattlers went 14-17 overall and 10-8 in the SWAC with a win in the conference tournament.
That record was an eight-game improvement over the 2023-24 season, when Florida A&M went 6-23 and just 4-14 in conference play. The Rattlers haven't had a winning season since making the NCAA tournament as a No. 16 seed in 2007 as a member of the MEAC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Stephen A. Smith happy to get ‘well-earned relief' from one part of his ESPN responsibilities
With 'Inside the NBA' coming to ESPN, that means that Stephen A. Smith will be on fewer NBA broadcasts, something that will not only make a segment of viewers at home happy but also Smith himself. The well-known ESPN personality expressed excitement that the beloved TNT studio show will be joining ESPN through a licensing agreement struck with the NBA. Stephen A. Smith, NBA analyst for ESPN, looks on before the Boston Celtics play the Knicks in the playoffs. Getty Images That excitement stems not just from his enjoyment of the show, but for the chance to take a step back from some of his on-air appearances. ''Inside The NBA' is coming here and nobody can be happier for that than me,' Smith told Boardroom in an interview. 'Not just because those guys are great, but it gives me what I believe to be well-earned relief. It's been a long time. I've been covering the NBA for 30 years, so I'm going to get somewhat of a reprieve to some degree in that regard in terms of an inordinate amount of assignments that I've had in the past. So, I'm happy about that.' Smith was busy during ESPN's coverage of the NBA Finals and the NBA draft, and that's without even mentioning his number of projects and appearances away from NBA coverage and sports in general. The $100 million sports commentator is expected to play a bigger role in the network's NFL coverage as part of his new deal with the Disney-owned network, and in the interview with Boardroom, he expressed excitement over some vacation time that will help him recharge for the fall. ESPN reporters Stephen A Smith, Malika Andrews and Michael Malone talk during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals on May 26, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images 'I'll have a greater appreciation for it come NFL season when I'm back,' Smith said, speaking about his duties on 'First Take.' 'Because obviously I'll be fresh, refreshed, ready to roll, and I'll have an even greater appreciation then than I do of it now.'
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Packers Linked to Potential TJ Watt Trade Amid New Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Green Bay Packers were expected to make a move to improve their pass rush heading into the 2025 NFL offseason. To this point, no such move has been made. Plenty of big names have been connected as possible targets for the Packers. One of the names still available is Trey Hendrickson, who has been linked to Green Bay on multiple occasions. While the Hendrickson possibility is still an option, another name has been suggested as a possible target for the Packers. T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a tackle in the game against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a tackle in the game against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Pittsburgh Steelers superstar T.J. Watt has yet to receive a new contract extension from the team. After the trade that sent Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers resulted in a pay increase for the star cornerback, rumors have started rumbling about a possible Watt trade. Read more: Packers Linked to Major Offseason Trade for Defensive Upgrade If Pittsburgh is open to the idea of trading Wtt, could Green Bay consider making a run at him? That is exactly what CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin has suggested. In his new editorial breaking down potential trade suitors for Watt, the Packers were firmly on the list. "It's kind of a shame that Watt's older brother, JJ, never got to suit up for his home state at the NFL level. Perhaps T.J. can correct that," Benjamin wrote. "The Packers aren't necessarily in dire need of a pass rusher with Rashan Gary headlining their group, but with Lukas Van Ness coming along slowly, why would they turn down a perennial All-Pro as they look to make a leap as a playoff contender? In the year 2025, when an ex-Packers great in Aaron Rodgers is trying to save Pittsburgh, this kind of a blockbuster swap would only be fitting." Green Bay would instantly take a huge leap forward as a potential Super Bowl contender if Watt was acquired. Brian Gutekunst hasn't made many big blockbuster moves, but the opportunity to acquire Watt might be one he jumps at. Read more: Report: Steelers Pull Off Blockbuster Trade for Jalen Ramsey During the 2024 NFL season with the Steelers, Watt played in all 17 games. He recorded 61 total tackles to go along with 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four defended passes. Back in 2023, he totaled 68 tackles, 19 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception, and eight defended passes. This is just an idea right now. No reports have suggested that Pittsburgh is looking to trade Watt or even open to the idea of considering it. Should the Steelers decide to make him available, the Packers would instantly become a team to watch as a possible trade suitor. He's exactly the piece Green Bay needs to become an elite defense. For more Green Bay Packers and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Jaren Jackson Jr. signing massive $240 million extension with Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr. will be with the Grizzlies for the foreseeable future. Jackson and the organization are expected to agree on a five-year, $240 million max deal, ESPN's Shams Charania reported. The renegotiated and extended deal includes a player option for the final year, which is the 2029-30 season, and added four years to his existing contract, which was entering its final year this upcoming season. Advertisement Jaren Jackson Jr. is signing a $240 million extension with the Grizzlies. NBAE via Getty Images The move solidifies the Grizzlies' commitment to making Jackson and star Ja Morant the leaders of the franchise going forward, and comes after Jackson had his best season to date in his professional career. Jackson averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game last season and has seen an improvement to his game every year since he was drafted fourth overall by the Grizzlies in 2018. He was also been the only player to put up 1,500 points and 100 blocks last season. Advertisement Jackson was voted second-team All-Defense and came just short of making the All-NBA team. He was named the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year as well. The Grizzlies will have to clear cap space before they make the deal official and part of that has already been in the works by trading Desmond Bane to Orlando for Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and draft picks. Advertisement Jaren Jackson Jr. enjoyed a career year last season. NBAE via Getty Images Shortly after news of the deal broke, Charania also reported that the Grizzlies were working with Anthony to create the cap space needed for Jackson's contract, while allowing Anthony to find a new team. 'This means the playmaking and scoring guard is entering the market place,' the NBA insider reported.
