In a recent appearance on Jim Rome's eponymous radio show, new Florida A&M head basketball coach Charlie Ward talked about his extensive ties to the institution and even being born on campus. It's a connection that Ward has been forthcoming about mentioning as he accepted the head coach position earlier this month.
“ Well, [the hospital] was right there on campus. it's actually the administrative building and I was doing my HR work in there. And so that was a very full circle moment for me. When they mentioned that was the hospital, of course I don't remember, but I was grateful that I had this opportunity to be able to go back into the place where I was born. My parents met at FAMU. I have an older sister who graduated from there. And so I'm just grateful I get an opportunity to live out their legacy and this new position at FAMU.”
Ward's ties go even deeper, with his family even having an athletic history with the institution.
His father, Charlie Ward Sr., played running back for FAMU under legendary coach Jake Gaither. Ward Sr. was also a teammate of Olympian and NFL Hall-of-Famer Bob Hayes. Ward was born in Tallahassee and watched many Rattler home games as a child, traveling back to his birth city from Thomasville, Georgia. Per comments in his introductory press conference, Ward's ties to the institution made him want to pursue the position even more.
“This is the only job, collegiate job, I was willing to take,” Ward said. “Many of you may know me as a Seminole, but I was born a Rattler. The opportunity to join FAMU, in this capacity, was a welcome one.”
Ward is one of the most dynamic athletes in sports history, excelling as a two-sport athlete in football and basketball. During his career with the Florida State Seminoles, Ward threw for a whopping 5,747 yards and 49 touchdowns, completing 473 out of 759 passes with an impressive 62.3% completion rate. He also rushed for 889 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. He also led Florida State to its first national championship with an 18-16 victory over Nebraska in the 1993 Orange Bowl.
But, Ward also showed a talent for basketball. Alongside future NBA standouts like Bob Sura and Sam Cassell, he led to Seminoles to immense success. His teams reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1992 and the Southeast Regional Final in 1993. Ward holds FSU records for career steals (236), steals in a game (9), and ranks sixth in career assists (396). Despite a shortened senior season due to winning the Heisman Trophy, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.9 assists while starting 16 games as point guard.
Ward eventually decided to pursue basketball as a professional, ultimately being selected by the New York Knicks with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft. He brings head coaching experience, having served as an assistant coach with the Rockets during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, as well as a high school head coach in the Tallahassee area and with USA basketball.
Now, he looks to build a winning tradition for the Rattlers and restore the basketball program to glory.
In a recent appearance on Jim Rome's eponymous radio show, new Florida A&M head basketball coach Charlie Ward talked about his extensive ties to the institution and even being born on campus. It's a connection that Ward has been forthcoming about mentioning as he accepted the head coach position earlier this month.
