The HBCU Football coaching era continues with news that Florida A&M will turn to program legend Quinn Gray to return the Rattlers to the top of Black College Football.
Not only is it a homecoming for Gray, but FAMU’s newest recruit probably shows a potential trend just starting; Division I HBCUs promote successful Division II coaches to run their programs.
This year’s Celebration Bowl was featured Tremaine JacksonChennis Berry, who led Valdosta State to the D2 championship game in 2024 and won two SIAC championships at Benedict. Also, Alabama A&M recruited Sam Shade fresh off a SIAC championship at Miles College.
As Berry pointed out after South Carolina State’s Celebration Bowl win, the MEAC has great coaches who aren’t NFL players.
While this statement ruffled some feathers, it does show that there is more than one way to find a coach for your football team.
Why do Division II coaches succeed at the Division I level? Well, for starters, they are good trainers.
Jackson won 10 games at Colorado Mesa in the odd time of winter/spring/fall 2021 football before heading to Valdosta State, where he led the Blazers to the 2024 national championship game.
Craving consistency and identity, he took over a Prairie View program, then guided them to a SWAC title and first Celebration Bowl appearance in his first year.
Berry’s story is longer. Serving as an assistant coach and coordinator at various HBCUs for over 25 yearsfinally got his chance to lead a program and in his second season made Benedict a national team.
When Buddy Pough announced his retirement after the 2023 season, it was clear that SCSU was following Berry.
That pursuit paid off with two MEAC titles and a Celebration Bowl trophy.
Gray will now have the opportunity to restore FAMU’s place in the HBCU football hierarchy after leading Albany State to the SIAC title and the D2 1/4 finals in just his second year as head coach.
Also some closing of the gap in terms of recruiting issues as well as talent.
Make no mistake about it, you can still tell an FBS/potential NFL player from an FCS/D-II/NAIA player, but the latter level of athlete has risen in recent years. Berry won at South Carolina State with the players he brought with him from Benedict, including MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Jarod Washington.
The key will always be to recruit talent, but training the players is still important. Berry, Jackson, Gray and Shade can do both. Sports directors, board of trustees
While breakthrough recruits and former NFL players are still considered for HBCU football jobs, there are Division II winners who have found success at the Division I level, proving that your game is as important as your name.
