FAMU's new coach hopes to reignite Rattlers' basketball

Tallahassee, FL -- Clemon Johnson, a Monticello native who set records at Florida A&M and also wears an NBA championship ring, finally experienced a homecoming Tuesday afternoon that was in the making for 18 years.

With about 200 Florida A&M fans looking on with the Marching 100 and cheerleaders as the backdrop at the Lawson Center, Johnson was introduced as the new men's head basketball coach. He hugged little children, signed autographs and took countless photographs, then pronounced himself ready to rebuild the program that had foundered as a bottom tier team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the past four years.

At the same time, Johnson was at the University of Alaska Fairbanks gaining experience that he said will help him make the Rattlers winners. He was hoping to...



Rattlers welcome home Clemon Johnson

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 31) - Florida A&M University welcomed home one of its favorite sons to lead the men's basketball program today at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Clemon Johnson, was officially presented to alumni, fans and family at a pep rally and press conference in his honor. The world-famous Marching "100" and the MEAC Co-ed Champions Cheerleaders were on hand to add to the excitement.

Johnson was a star basketball player for the Rattlers from 1974-1978. He was an All-SIAC and All-American selection his senior year at FAMU, with several of his records still standing to this day. Johnson went on to a solid career in the NBA, winning a world championship with the Philadelphia 76ers. He later started coaching in the high school ranks, before being hired at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks

FAMU interim Sports Information Director, Vaughn Wilson, presided over the event. FAMU Director of Athletics, Derek Horne, gave the welcome from the FAMU Athletic Department and FAMU President, Dr. James H. Ammons, welcomed the crowd of about 300 people to the event and introduced new head basketball coach Clemon Johnson.

Horne, was excited to have the search completed and a Rattler hired to guide the team. "It's a great day for not only FAMU, but our athletic department. We have an alum coming back to the hill that we think will do a great job for us," said Horne.

Ammons, was emphatic about doing what it takes to regain championship composure for the basketball program. An emphatic Ammons said, " We wanted someone who could come back and ignite that old Rattler spirit. When you think about Rattler sports, you immediately think about some of the great student-athletes who have been a part of this campus. You think of Althea Gibson, Bob Hayes and legendary coach Jake Gaither. Then, when you think about basketball, you think about Clemon Johnson."


Videographer: FAMUTube1887

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FAMU athletic director outlines future ideas at national alumni conference

ORLANDO — Florida A&M athletic director Derek Horne outlined his strategy for improving attendance and making the Rattlers' teams more competitive, while pleading with alumni for financial support that is necessary to make the programs flourish.

Horne, who eight months ago became FAMU's athletic director, made his pitch Thursday morning during FAMU's National Alumni Association conference at the Rosen Center. He also promised "radical changes," and said he hopes to be the school's AD for the long haul.

Winning championships and improving facilities are two of the major changes he promised. But he warned that a complete turnaround won't happen overnight.


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List 'impressive' for FAMU job

Tallahassee, FL - While several high-profile names are circulating as applicants for the vacant men's basketball coaching job at Florida A&M, athletic director Derek Horne hedged on confirming what sources are calling an impressive list.

"Right now because it's still ongoing we just want to make sure that we do our due diligence to make sure that we bring the right person in," Horne said.

FAMU has been without a men's basketball coach for almost a month since Eugene Harris was fired in March. At that time, Horne said he would like to fill the position this month, but Tuesday he said he hopes to have the process completed before schools break for the summer.

Horne didn't say when the final interview process will begin.


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FAMU looks to fill coaching vacancy

Tallahassee, FL - The wait might not be too long before the Florida A&M men's basketball team finds out who its next coach will be. Athletic director Derek Horne said Friday that the university will move expeditiously in an effort to have a replacement for Eugene Harris in place by mid-April. Harris was fired Thursday, but remains on FAMU's payroll until June 10.

Harris was terminated after four seasons after leading the Rattlers to as 46-80 record. His five-year contract expires in April 2012 (not Sept. 2012 as previously reported), but Horne hedged on saying specifically how FAMU will settle the remaining 10 months that Harris was contracted through.

Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium-- Home of the FAMU Rattlers Basketball and MEAC Championship Volleyball Teams. 

(The on-campus facility is 135,000 s.f. and has seating for 9,639 fans. Completed on April 4, 2009 at cost of $40 million).

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FAMU A.D. Derek Horne's Rattler Progress Report

You will want to watch the exclusive interviews (see below) conducted by Tallahassee WCTV's Elton Gumbel with Florida A&M University athletic director Derek Horne. I can honestly say that the RattlerNation is well pleased with Horne's actions to raise the bar on Rattler athletics.

Yes, we know the Rattlers men basketball program need some serious attention, but that's coming with the completion of the present coaching staff contracts.

When the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., finalizes negotiations with Southern University to be the 2011 classic opponent for FAMU, the football schedule will have some great new flavor, with Fort Valley State (SIAC), University of South Florida (Big East), North Carolina Central (MEAC) and possibly Southern (SWAC).

The FVSU Wildcats finished 8-2 in 2010, and will be an exciting season opener for FVSU's eighth president, Dr. Larry E. Rivers on his return to the hill. Dr. Rivers previously served as one of two FAMU “distinguished university professor” and dean of the FAMU College of Arts and Sciences. We will talk more about the schedule later.

Now, back to Derek Hornes and his perspectives on where he is leading the Rattlers athletic programs.

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Just a few years ago the FAMU Rattlers' athletic road seemed to be full of speed bumps and maybe even a few wrong turns. But now their Wahnish Way is brighter and brighter by the day. For the last 149 days (and counting), Quitman, Georgia native Derek Horne has been settling into his role as athletic director.

Having the Rattlers win a MEAC football title just 4 months into the job helps make the new gig easier... But now that FAMU has transitioned from football and started putting the focus on Winter and Spring sports, the new leader has had a little bit of time to sit back and evaluate the state of the program. Safe to say, he likes what he sees.

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FAMU's Derek Horne on FAMU Optimism
FAMU's Derek Horne Unplugged
FAMU's Derek Horne on Spring Sports
FAMU's Derek Horne on Atlanta Classic Changes
FAMU's Derek Horne on First 4 Months as A.D.

Positive changes continue for FAMU athletics

The corporate world would throw around terms like "re-branding" or a "re-assessment of core values" or some other "strategic initiative." Within the Florida A&M athletic department, it's much easier to explain. This place has changed, and it's continuing to change.

Those paying attention Saturday evening as nearly 23,000 fans packed into Bragg Memorial Stadium — most of them wearing the same black T-shirts — understand exactly what is happening on the highest of Tallahassee's seven hills.

Andre Dawson Returns to FAMU

Andre Dawson, who is a Major League Baseball Hall of fame inductee and self proclaimed 'rattler forever' returned to his stopping grounds to give those being inducted to the FAMU Sports Hall of fame a pat on the back. Dawson, a Rattler baseball great in the 70s, was a member of the 81 FAMU sports hall of fame.

After a knee injury out of high school-- He says his time on the Rattler Diamond is what made his child hood dream work itself out. Andre Dawson says, "I got a full scholarship because ...

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Derek Horne formally introduced as FAMU AD

The cell phone ringtone interrupted the speaker's voice Tuesday afternoon just as the words "Mr. Derek Horne" were spoken. The theme song to the old "Superman" television series blared loud enough for everyone in the banquet room at the Al Lawson Center to hear. "That was planned," someone yelled from across the room. Maybe," came the response. Though Florida A&M President Dr. James Ammons may not have hired Superman to run the university's athletics department, he certainly found a man many people believe has the strength, wisdom and instincts to help reshape the future of the Rattlers' sports programs.

Derek Horne, formally introduced Tuesday as the new director of athletics, wasted little time endearing himself to a crowd of nearly 100 FAMU employees, trustees, alumni, friends and media representatives. "I'm humbled and honored to stand before you today as the next director of athletics at Florida A&M University," Horne said. "Of all the places in the world this day, I can't think of another place I'd rather be."

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New FAMU AD comes from Ole Miss

FAMU's president James Ammons confirmed Friday that Horne has accepted the job as the Rattlers' athletic director, under a three year contract.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Derek Horne, an associate athletic director at Ole Miss, has been hired as the athletic director at Florida A&M, FAMU president James Ammons confirmed tonight.

“I think Derek has a wide-range of experiences at the University of Mississippi and in the SEC, a conference that is a football powerhouse,” Ammons said. Ammons touted Horne’s leadership abilities, saying that he has “the potential to help us usher in a new era in Rattlers sports.”

According to an offer letter sent by the school to Horne and obtained by the Democrat, Horne will receive a three-year contract at $200,000 annually. “This offer is conditioned upon your written acceptance, and successful completion and review of a criminal background check,” Ammons wrote in his offer letter to Horne.

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