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Former Heisman Trophy Winner Hired As Division I Basketball Head Coach

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 12:41 PM ET

Former Heisman Trophy winner and NBA point guard Charlie Ward is set to lead his own college basketball program.

Ward, a two-sport star at Florida State before an 11-year career in the NBA, is finalizing a deal to become the new head men's basketball coach at Florida A&M, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Thamel said the agreement is done pending final board approval at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Ward has never coached at the collegiate level, but does have coaching experience. He was an assistant coach with the NBA's Houston Rockets from 2005-07 and has been head coach of the Florida State University School (or Florida High) in Tallahassee since 2018.

In 2022, he led his team to a state championship, the program's first state title since 1963. Ward also recently served as an assistant coach for Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit, working with prized five-star recruits such as Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa.

Oct 3, 1992; Miami, FL, USA: FILE PHOTO; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Charlie Ward (17) looks to throw against Miami at the Orange Bowl. Miami defeated FSU 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images© RVR Photos-Imagn Images

At FAMU, Ward will take over a program that hasn't had a winning season since 2007, the last time it made the NCAA Tournament.

The Rattlers went 14-17 in 2024-25 under Patrick Crarey II, his lone season as head coach. FAMU posted a 10-8 record in SWAC play.

At Florida State, Ward was the Seminoles' starting quarterback during the 1992 and 1993 seasons, finishing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a junior before winning the award in his final season.

In 1993, Ward completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,032 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading FSU to a national championship. He also added 339 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

With Ward's NFL hopes questionable, the multi-sport standout elected to pursue an NBA career. He was drafted with the 26th overall pick of the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

Ward played 11 seasons in the NBA, mostly with New York, averaging 6.3 points and 4.0 assists per game.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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