Former Heisman Trophy winner to become college basketball coach

A former Heisman Trophy winner is set to become the new head basketball coach at Florida A&M.

Charlie Ward, a former Florida State quarterback and longtime NBA point guard, is taking the Florida A&M job, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. This marks his first coaching job at the college level.

Ward starred at Florida State as both a basketball and football player. He won the Heisman Trophy as the Seminoles’ quarterback in 1993, but ultimately went pro in basketball. He carved out a successful 11-year NBA career, primarily with the New York Knicks.

Florida A&M is coming off a 14-17 season and has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2007. Previous coach Patrick Crarey left after one season, prompting the hiring of Ward.

It has become a trend in college football for HBCUs to hire high-profile former players to provide a boost to their programs. That has not taken root in basketball to the same extent, but this could be a sign of things to come.

Ward is still a big name in the state of Florida, and marks an impact hire for a program that is approaching two decades without an NCAA Tournament appearance. There are not many opportunities like that out there.