Why FAMU football is emphasizing 'accountability' as spring game looms

Building a respectable football program goes beyond just having talented players on the field.

As Florida A&M enters its biggest week of spring camp, first-year head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. is evaluating whether the on-field skill matches his players’ tenacity.

“We’re trying to build the confidence that we need in these guys and make sure we’re mentally where we need to be,” Gray said after FAMU’s 11th spring practice and third spring scrimmage on Saturday, March 28.

“But it’s still a process.”

The Rattlers are entering the final week of spring football, with their annual Orange and Green Game looming on Friday, April 3. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Saturday’s scrimmage was one final dress rehearsal for the Rattlers. FAMU ran 60-65 plays, and Gray is inching closer to solidifying at least a two-deep depth chart in the closing days of spring camp.

The scrimmage also allowed FAMU to perform in front of referees and be educated on the workings of a college football game.

Even as simple as on-field dress code and players lining up correctly, says rising redshirt senior running back Jamal Hailey. FAMU didn’t have many “bad penalties,” such as false starts, offsides, and other pre-snap infractions.

“The biggest thing as far as our scrimmages having refs is being able to talk about rules and what to look forward to in a game,” said Hailey, who scored nine all-purpose touchdowns for the Rattlers in 2025.

“It’s helping us in our practice scheme.”

The Rattlers know the expectations and standards set before them.

Those lessons could prove valuable when the regular season starts this fall, as FAMU looks to rebound from a 5-7 season under its new head coach.

“We’ve done a pretty good job of emphasizing discipline and accountability,” Hailey explained. “The biggest jump we’ve made is getting guys bought in to what we’re trying to do and believing in the process.”

FAMU football coach Quinn Gray instilling ‘new culture’ as spring game approaches

Gray has some non-negotiables for his FAMU team.

“He’s really turned the heat up,” Hailey said of his head coach. “No walking on the field. Having accountability has been a really big change.”

Get off track? Consequences include ‘up-downs’ and extra conditioning.

It has helped some leaders emerge, like Syracuse transfer edge rusher Caden Brown. He said the Rattlers have done well adapting to the “new culture” that Gray is introducing on the Highest of Seven Hills.

“The pass rushing game ― I get to the quarterback,” said Brown, a rising redshirt sophomore. “I’m just trying to become a leader here and show these boys the right way.”

FAMU resumes practice on Monday, March 30, for spring game week.

The last days on the practice field will be crucial to the Rattlers’ showing for next Friday’s spring game, their first showcase under Gray.

“Getting our guys to understand what it’s going to take to be a championship program. That’s going to take some time,” the FAMU head coach said. “We’re going to continue to chop wood and make sure we’re putting them in the right positions to understand what it looks like.”

Florida A&M football 2026 schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 29: vs. Albany State
• Sunday, Sept. 6: vs. South Carolina State, Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium
• Thursday, Sept. 10: at Miami
• Saturday, Sept. 19: vs. Tennessee State
• Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Alabama A&M (SWAC)
• Saturday, Oct. 3: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 10: at Alabama State (SWAC)
• Saturday, Oct. 17: at Jackson State (SWAC)
• Saturday, Oct. 24: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC/Homecoming)
• Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. Southern (SWAC)
• Saturday, Nov. 7: at Alcorn State (SWAC)
• Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi Valley State (SWAC)
• Saturday, Nov. 21: vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic)

Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time national award-winning reporter 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 coach Quinn Gray building ‘confidence, accountability’