FAMU fans turn out to support Coach Earl Holmes

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Joe Bullard didn’t even bother to think when he was asked to recall the last time that there has been as much excitement about FAMU football as new head coach Earl Holmes is causing.

Right away, he harkened to 1978 when the Rattlers won their first NCAA national championship.
“I’m happy to say that back then we said, ‘The Rattlers are back,’ and they were,” said Bullard, a radio disc jockey who has been the voice of the Marching 100 for more than three decades. “Now it’s the Rattler nation and Earl Holmes. The excitement is back.”

Bullard was among the 200 or so who turned out at The Moon on Wednesday night for a community meet-and-greet with Holmes, who was named head coach almost two weeks ago. Since his hire, Holmes has repeatedly said he will campaign to get the community to rally behind him and a new-look Rattlers team.

Judging from the crowd that turned out Wednesday, folks are already buying in. Athletic Director Derek Horne said his phone has been constantly ringing with fans wanting information about season tickets and the 2013 schedule, which he said should be released in a week.

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