Heisman Hero to Hoops Coach: Division I Basketball Team's Daring New Play

Wow, what a fascinating time to pivot from sports journalism to sports coaching for our boy Charlie Ward! Just a few short years ago we would’ve only thought of him in the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, or lacing it up on the hard wood with the Knicks. But here we are, witnessing this legend take on the colossal task of transforming Florida A&M to shake off a 2007-ogy, I mean legacy, of underperformance.

Now, imagine this: Do you think you could go from tossing touchdowns in his Heisman-winning days at Florida State to calling plays in a college basketball gym? It’s the kind of switch that feels like you’re changing from sneakers to cowboy boots mid-stride. But if you ask me, who better than a two-sport athlete like Ward to bring a unique blend of athletic anatomy to his coaching game?

It’s not just a change of jersey for Ward, This is a full 180 into the realm of empowerment and reconstruction for a program that’s been wandering in the desert since they last danced in the NCAA Tournament. . . LEARN MORE.

Former Heisman Trophy winner and NBA point guard Charlie Ward is set to lead his own college basketball program.

Ward, a two-sport star at Florida State before an 11-year career in the NBA, is finalizing a deal to become the new head men’s basketball coach at Florida A&M, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Thamel said the agreement is done pending final board approval at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Ward has never coached at the collegiate level, but does have coaching experience. He was an assistant coach with the NBA’s Houston Rockets from 2005-07 and has been head coach of the Florida State University School (or Florida High) in Tallahassee since 2018.

In 2022, he led his team to a state championship, the program’s first state title since 1963. Ward also recently served as an assistant coach for Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit, working with prized five-star recruits such as Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa.

At FAMU, Ward will take over a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2007, the last time it made the NCAA Tournament. 

The Rattlers went 14-17 in 2024-25 under Patrick Crarey II, his lone season as head coach. FAMU posted a 10-8 record in SWAC play.

At Florida State, Ward was the Seminoles’ starting quarterback during the 1992 and 1993 seasons, finishing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a junior before winning the award in his final season.

In 1993, Ward completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,032 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading FSU to a national championship. He also added 339 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

With Ward’s NFL hopes questionable, the multi-sport standout elected to pursue an NBA career. He was drafted with the 26th overall pick of the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

Ward played 11 seasons in the NBA, mostly with New York, averaging 6.3 points and 4.0 assists per game.

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