Head Coach Willie Simmons Announces New Additions to Football Staff

8/6/2022 11:07:00 AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M's Head Football Coach Willie Simmons has officially made some additions to the Rattlers 2022 football staff. Simmons has added Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach James Colzie III and Safeties Coach Davon Morgan.

"We couldn't be more excited to announce the hires of James Colzie and Davon Morgan as our respective cornerbacks and safeties coaches," said Head Coach Willie Simmons. "Both bring Power 5 and professional playing experience, and both have been Defensive Coordinators. They are both high energy and knowledgeable coaches, and we're confident their passion will continue to bring a high level of play to our defensive backfield."

James Colzie III - Defensive Passing Game Coordinator / Cornerbacks Coach

Coach James Colzie III joined the Rattlers after spending the last six years as the head coach at Saint Mary's University (Canada), leading them to a 23-19 record. Saint Mary's played for two AUS Championships (2018 and 2019) and posted a conference-best 7-1 record during the 2018 season. In total, Coach Colzie posted six All-Canadians (DB DeAndre Smith (2016), DB Antoine Lyte-Myers (2019), DB Justin Julien (2021), RET Johnny King, RET Justin Julien (2021), DE Jadarius Caesar (2017), and LB Brad Herbst (2018). He developed and coached four CFL draft picks starting in 2018 with DL Tresor Mafuta (4thround to Saskatchewan), in 2021 with LB Jarek Richards (4th round to Hamilton), and OL Peter Kourtis (5th round to Edmonton), and DB Adrian Greene (4th round to BC). During Coach Colzie's time at Saint Mary's, he also had 4 player of the year's (two being defensive player's of the year) and a final total of twenty All-Conference player's while being the head football coach.

Colzie III also had stops at the University of British Columbia, Coffeyville Community College, Simon Fraser University, Southern Arkansas University, University of West Georgia, Valdosta State University, Florida State University, and Florida International University. Colzie III played for the Florida State Seminoles and was part of the 1993 National Championship team.

Davon Morgan - Safeties Coach

Morgan, who has seven years of coaching experience, played professional football with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Coaching started for Morgan in 2015 when he became the Defensive Backs Coach at Virginia State University during the 2015-2016 seasons after being released from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. Before that, Morgan made stops at the Virginia University of Lynchburg, where he was the Special Teams Coordinator and Co-Defensive Coordinator. Coach Morgan helped them to four wins after the school had not won a game in 11 years. Fall of 2019, Morgan then went on to become the NFL Liaison for Pro Scouts and was named Defensive Pass Game Coordinator at Alderson Broaddus University. Following the 19-20 season, Coach Morgan transitioned to the offensive side of the ball at Emory & Henry College, where he coached wide receivers. Morgan comes to Florida A&M with a clear understanding of the offensive side & defensive side of the ball as he joins us from Elizabeth City State, where he was the Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach.

Morgan played collegiately at Virginia Tech, became a team captain, and made ALL-ACC honors as a defensive back. He helped lead the Hokies to 3 Conference Championships and 3 BCS Bowls, becoming the all-time winningest class in Virginia Tech history. Morgan was selected by the New York Jets after the 2011 NFL lockout. After being released due to injury, Morgan played Arena football (2012) before signing back with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014.

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