Florida A&M's investment in Joe Taylor makes perfect sense

Photo: Florida A&M University President Dr. James Ammons hired the best coach in America, Joe Taylor to head Rattler Football.

Consider the message sent. Loud, clear and with no chance to be misinterpreted.

Florida A&M President James Ammons wants to taste success again on the football field. And he's willing to spend money to make that happen. With a smile on his face and an extra dose of pride in his voice, Ammons introduced Joe Taylor as FAMU's football coach on Monday afternoon. Taylor, an eight-time conference champion at Hampton, accepted a five-year contract worth $225,000 annually that also includes a $12,000 housing allowance.

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There is no argument that the 58 year old Joe Taylor is head and shoulders above ALL African-American head football coaches in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Jim Lamar, Sports Editor, Tallahassee Democrat lays it out clearly for all to see and read in the referenced article.

Dr. James Ammons has determined the price of success on the gridiron will cost the Rattlers $237,000 annually or $1,185,000 over the next five years.

This is a very small price to pay for the annual income stream of $12 - $16 million annually or the $80 million that is expected to come from Rattler football during the contract terms. The deal for Joe Taylor just makes solid business sense for the vision that Ammons has for Florida A&M University and the impact that football has on all aspects of university life.

More importantly, the contracted amount is more than fair and reasonable in the context of current market pricing for hall of fame winning coaches working in the FCS and lower hierarchy of the FBC subdivision. We blogged about this topic on December 21, 2007, and provided current contract data showing that the average cost for procuring a successful head football coach has risen to the low $200,000 range.

We knew that envy and jealousy would raise its ugly head among small minded individuals within Rattler Nation and other HBCUs. The issue for some is more social than pure business economics. You see, some African-Americans have a very bad habit of devaluing each other, their own institutions or their talented black leadership.

Some would have no problem with Joe Taylor signing for the same amount and terms with Western Carolina University.

The chatter on most message boards, given by individuals who were hoping that this superior, talented coach leave the MEAC and sign with perennial loser, Western Carolina University of the Southern Conference, was based on social aspects.

Few expected Coach Taylor to sign on with FAMU.

Why? So that it would help continuation of the black talent drain from HBCUs and justification of their stupid mystique that any white school is a better place than Florida A&M University, Grambling State or any HBCU. Even, lowly ranked WCU in Southern Conference football with no winning history.

Rattler Nation must acknowledge this one fact in their thought process: Joe Taylor is not Rubin Carter, some other first time head coach or lesser coach.

He is a long term proven winner, leader and developer of successful student-athletes. He can be trusted with our children and is committed to developing them to their full potentials.

To Coach Taylor, football is a part of his overall ministry to improve the lives of young people. His success and record speak volumes about himself as a person and a coach.

Twenty-five years of winning experience and a record of 197-78-4 is more than worthy of an income of $237,000 in today's coaching market. Coach Taylor is worth every penny that President Ammons and the FAMU Board of Trustees have committed to his position.

Florida A&M University is not a starting point for a head coaching career. It is the mecca for hall of fame coaches that are worthy of wearing the Orange and the Green, and winning national championships. That's the tradition and legacy of Jake Gaither.

Rightfully so, Dr. Ammons is bring back the Jake Gaither mystique and the legacy.

Discussion of another man's income for taking care of his family is not worthy of my time nor the energy of true Rattlers that are committed to a championship program. Some must change their attitude and rise up above the petty chatter and become true supporters of FAMU.

Florida A&M University hired the best football coach in America and Coach Taylor should be paid as such. You can never over pay the best.

-beepbeep