Email Article

Printable Page

Searches Begin for Florida A&M Head Coach, Athletic Director

By Ray Jenifer
Black College Wire

Searches for a new head football coach and athletic director are under way after the resignation of A.D. Nelson Townsend and the firing of Rubin Carter.

Alexis Jenkins, the Famuan Former coach Rubin Carter

Carter and his assistants were handed their walking papers Nov. 20, less than a week after the Rattlers' 34-7 thrashing courtesy of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, which President Ammons described as "a painful loss."

After leading the Rattlers to a 6-5 record in 2005 and 7-4 in 2006, Carter's troops struggled throughout the 2007 campaign, finishing 3-8, second to last in the MEAC just ahead of the winless Aggies of North Carolina A&T.

Carter and Townsend were hired under former interim president Castell Bryant's tenure nearly two years ago. Townsend will be leaving after serving his second stint as athletic director for FAMU.

FAMU finished the regular season 3-8 overall and 2-6 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

Ammons announced during an afternoon press conference on Nov. 20 that athletic director Townsend had submitted his resignation, effective Tuesday morning, and that coach Carter was given a "notice of non-reappointment and employment separation," a press release on the university's Web site stated.

According to the press release, Townsend will be on paid administrative leave until February 12, 2008, his last day of employment. Carter will also be placed on paid administrative leave until April 22, 2008.

"I am appreciative of the tremendous work Mr. Townsend and Coach Carter have done during the period when we were working to address NCAA sanctions," Ammons said in the news release. "Now we want to move in a new direction with the athletics program. I'm moving forward with the hiring process."

The release also said Ammons met with the athletic staff and coaches Tuesday morning, announcing that Allen Bogan, a longtime faculty member and one-time assistant football coach, would serve as interim athletic director until a permanent director is hired.

Ammons went on to say that the positions would be filled by the end of the year.

Ray Jenifer writes for the Famuan, Florida A&M University's student newspaper..