Florida A&M University is making a historic play on the hardwood with the hiring of Heisman Trophy winner and former NBA veteran Charlie Ward as the new head coach of its men’s basketball team. The announcement sent shockwaves through the HBCU and college basketball communities, marking a bold shift in the Rattlers’ athletic vision.Ward, a legendary figure in college football is the only Heisman Trophy winner to ever play in the NBA. After leading Florida State to a national championship in 1993 and winning college football’s highest individual honor, he bypassed the NFL entirely to pursue basketball. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the New York Knicks.While his athletic résumé speaks volumes, it’s his coaching philosophy and leadership that FAMU is banking on. Ward has spent more than a decade coaching high school basketball and serving as an assistant coach at Florida State and at historically Black institutions like Texas Southern University. His approach centers on discipline, character development, and long-term success — both on and off the court.
