FAMU's James Spady brings depth to coaching staff

Football lifer with 25 years of experience joins Rattlers as associate HC, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The coaching fraternity is a close-knit circle where stories are exchanged and network opportunities developed.

However, the bond which led to the eventual connection between James Spady and Willie Simmons was the byproduct of an encounter with their wives - Barbara Tatum-Spady and Shaia Simmons.

In 2014, the women exchanged pleasantries during a game when Spady, who coached at Alabama A&M, matched wits against Simmons' Prairie View A&M Panthers.

Their conversation continued after the game where the wives gathered near the locker room with their rival husbands. This led to a chain reaction of multiple off-the-field discussion between the men on a variety of topics.

Last season, the coaches parted ways from their respective teams. Simmons resigned and took over at Florida A&M. Spady was relieved of his duties at Alabama A&M.

As Simmons began to pick his assistants, one of the coaches he called to join him in Tallahassee was Spady.

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