TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Oct. 11) - In front of over a hundred fans, players, parents, supporters and members of the FAMU department of athletics, FAMU president Dr. James H. Ammons and athletic director Derek Horne, introduced Willie Brown as FAMU's new head baseball coach.
The event was held inside the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Under cloudy skies outside, the outlook was good on the inside.
"We are here to jump into the Willie Brown brand of baseball here at FAMU. I can see it in his players' eyes and I can hear it in his voice," Horne said.
Ammons, was emphatic about the hire because he is a fan of baseball. "Thank you for being here, and being a part of this press conference and reception where we bring back to 'the hill' on of our own," he said to the capacity crowd.
"I told my players that the first thing they will leave FAMU with if they worked hard, was a college degree. The second thing I told them they would learn is valuable life experience," Brown said. The emphatic Brown left no doubt that he expects the players to perform. His goal is not just improvement, but pursuit of the MEAC championship.
The welcome rally was broadcast around the world to Rattlers via Rattler Vision on FAMUAthletics.com
He is no stranger to achieving the goal, as he did it three times as a FAMU player, from 1990-1992. With the Bethune-Cookman program being dominant over the last few years I the conference, Brown revealed his counter to the success of the Wildcats; local talent. "I've coached on the high school and Babe Ruth levels and we've got to stop letting our talent get away. I feel we have some of the best talent that is recruited by other colleges and junior colleges," Brown said. "I know we're going to win, I know we're going to compete, I know we're going to return to the glory days of the past," he added.
Brown said he called former interim baseball coach Brett Richardson and thanked him for the team he inherited. The Rattler baseball team recently shattered the NCAA APR requirements and have several scholars on the team. The team also has several veterans that could result in better overall play.
Led by All-MEAC outfielder Jarryd Reid, the Rattlers return Adam Decker in centerfield and will only have to replace Tobi Adeyemi in left field. In the infield, the Rattlers return Dylan West at first base and slugger Cory Franklin at third base. Ryan Sheplak should step in nicely for Jimmy Terrell, who graduated at the catcher position. The Rattlers have several pitchers in their stable. David Duncan, Shay Barwick and Steven Dollar should solidify the Rattlers' pitching staff next season.
