Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. is about to get the first look at his inaugural Florida A&M football team.
Fresh off coaching in New Orleans’ HBCU Legacy Bowl, the newly hired head coach is set to host his first spring football practice on Tuesday, Feb. 24, on campus.
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Gray was hired by his alma mater, FAMU, in December 2025 on a five-year, $1.4 million contract. He was a record-setting and Hall of Fame quarterback for the Rattlers from 1997 to 2001.
Gray spent the previous three seasons coaching the Albany State Golden Rams, whom he led to the 2025 NCAA Division II Black College Football National Championship.
The annual Orange and Green Spring Game is scheduled for April 4, in conjunction with FAMU’s Be Out Day celebration.
FAMU football to introduce new players, coaches into spring
Gray’s Rattlers team boasts a new-look roster after a hefty National Signing Day class. Key FAMU players return to the team, such as running back Jamal Hailey and defensive end Antonio Camon Jr., who both withdrew from the transfer portal after Gray was named the Rattlers’ 20th full-time head football coach.
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He’s also introduced his revamped coaching staff, which includes assistants with local ties and some who helped his success at Albany State.
The updated staff includes newly hired co-offensive coordinator Nick Sewak from Albany State and defensive coordinator Ryan Lewis Sr. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Former Tennessee State assistant and Edward Waters head coach Toriano Morgan is the Rattlers’ new assistant head coach.
Local legend and former Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ron Dugans is now the Rattlers’ wide receivers coach and pro scout liaison. Dugans has a prior connection to the Orange and Green, being a football star at FAMU High School (now FAMU Developmental Research School) before going off to play at FSU and enjoy a four-year career in the National Football League.
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FAMU football’s spring practice a prelude to 2026 season
The Rattlers open their 2026 regular season at home on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium against none other than Gray’s former team, the Albany State Golden Rams, on Aug. 29.
Florida A&M Rattlers running back Jamal Hailey (28) works his way around a defender. The Florida A&M Rattlers hosted the Jackson State Tigers at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
FAMU’s schedule also includes Division I Black College Football National Champions South Carolina State on Sept. 6 for Miami’s Orange Blossom Classic, the College Football Playoff runners-up Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 10, and former rival, Tennessee State on Sept. 19.
Southwestern Athletic Conference play begins when the Rattlers welcome the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Sept. 26.
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FAMU’s homecoming football game is on Oct. 24 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Orlando’s Florida Classic against Bethune-Cookman is on Nov. 21.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football spring practice: Quinn Gray has new-look roster, staff
