FAMU "sole source" new athletic director

Compiled by beepbeep

Photo: FAMU president Dr. James Ammons

The Tallahassee Democrat announced in today's edition that Florida A&M University president Dr. James Ammons has recommended to the FAMU Board of Trustees that William "Bill" Hayes be accepted as the hire for the athletic director position. More importantly, Dr. Ammons requested the academic committee of the board of trustees issue a waiver for advertising the vacant post on a competitive basis and confirm Mr. Hayes hiring immediately. The academic committee is composed only of trustees.

The Board is also expected to vote today on issuing a waiver for the advertisement for the head football coaching position vacated by the fired Rubin Carter. Dr. Ammons also advised the Trustees that he would be bringing forth a recommendation for a head coach by December 17.

First, is anyone surprised by this development?

We're not, as Dr. Ammons has shown a personal preference in hiring the familiar or individuals that worked with him previously at North Carolina Central University, i.e., William "Bill" Hayes and possibly--Rod Broadway (head coach).

Upon being selected at NCCU in May 2003, Hayes stated, “I’m excited,” while giving credit to current head football coach Rod Broadway for helping get him off the golf course and back to work in athletics. Broadway had known Hayes since his coaching days at WSSU and had maintained a relationship over the years. “Coach Broadway called me two or three times a week,” Hayes stated. “He wasn’t interested in Xs and Os, he wanted to know about building a program. As I thought about all this free advice I was giving I decided to pursue this opportunity.”

Photo: William 'Bill" Hayes is proposed FAMU new athletic director.

Coach Broadway is in his first season at Grambling State University, but may be committed only until completion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game on December 15, in Birmingham, Alabama. The 48 hours thereafter, is just enough time to raise the SWAC Championship trophy, issue a letter of resignation and make travel plans to Tallahassee. Broadway has won 74 percent of all of his games at both NCCU and Grambling State and coached NCCU to an undefeated regular season in 2006 and the Black National Championship.

Not even opening the 2008 season at Western Athletic Conference foe University of Nevada at Reno on August 30, 2008, can keep Rod Broadway at Grambling State. Broadway said as much in his outburst to alumni that were unhappy with Grambling 22-13 loss in the Bayou Classic. It's difficult for Broadway to meet their unrealistic expectations--with a possible 9-3 record playing with the other guys players.

Broadway is one of 16 finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award. He is the second highest paid coach in the SWAC behind Southern University's Pete Richardson (3-years $200,000 annually) and above Jackson State University Rick Comegy. The fourth highest paid football coach in the SWAC is Anthony Jones at Alabama A&M University--that has interviewed with Southern Conference member Western Carolina University for the head coaching vacancy. Jones has a contract offer on the table at $155,000 annually from AAMU that he has not yet signed.

We will provide you with the exact numbers of Broadway's contract that was effective on January 25, 2007 later. Broadway did earn $100,000 annually under a six year deal at NCCU and $114,125 as an assistant coach at University of North Carolina.

Mr. Hayes is expected to receive a three year contract at $175,000 per year, upon Board of Trustee approval. Hayes was hired as athletic director by Dr. Ammons on July 1, 2003 and accepted a three year contract paying $110,000 annually at North Carolina Central University. He was instrumental in formulating a highly successful $1,000 Eagles Campaign--1000 Eagles giving $1,000 to fund student-athletic scholarships. This initiative raised over $1 million dollars for the program in short order.

You may read Bill Hayes complete Bio at: www.nccuatlanta.org/pdf/HayesBilly.pdf

Our only question is--are we limiting our goals and outlook for FAMU by hiring Bill Hayes?

We see Hayes as a great short term solution to bring leadership, professionalism and stability to the Rattlers athletic department. This may be just what the doctor ordered and is necessary to later make the push to the higher echelons of the Football Championship Subdivision. Hopefully, Hayes will hire his successor as an assistant athletic director so that there will be no detours as the Rattlers move to their rightful place among the college athletic elite.

We are all for a simple initiative of 2000 Rattlers at $1,000 to payoff Rubin Carter's contract and lay a solid financial foundation for 2008. It will take this additional infusion of cash to supplement the contract of a Rod Broadway or Al Lavan (Delaware State). Let's not forget that Al Lavan is a Florida native who graduated from Colorado State and coached at Eastern Michigan prior to leading the Hornets to the MEAC championship and FCS playoffs. The connection is Ammons and Lavan are from the same neck of the woods--Winter Haven and Fort Pierce, Florida, respectively.

We don't expect Broadway to have a change of heart for Grambling or FAMU to go after Lavan, unless Grambling steps up to keep Broadway. Based on the information we have received, it's going to be a Funky, Fun-ky Broadway at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 2008 and beyond.

Great move Dr. Ammons!!