With the departure of Willie Simmons for Duke University, Florida A&M has embarked on a search for the new head coach of the national champion football team.

It shouldn’t look far, he’s right under their noses.

Billy Rolle should be FAMU’S next head football coach.

When Simmons took the helm of the Rattlers in 2018, he did it bringing in Rolle as his special assistant to the head coach and  nickelbacks (defensive back) coach. That was due to the reputation, knowledge, and accomplishment of Rolle.

A FAMU Sports Hall of Famer for his play on the field as a defensive back for coach Rudy Hubbard, Rolle has been a pillar in the FAMU fold.  His entire family is engulfed in the FAMUly.  Rolle is there in plain sight, but is not a flashy guy and often shies away from the spotlight.

Rolle has the distinction of being the only coach in Florida High School Football history to win state championships at three different high schools.  He did it in Miami, the hotbed of high school football talent.  His list of accomplishments (some listed at the end of this article) makes him one of the most decorated coaches around.

Rolle was head coach of Miami Killian, Miami Southridge and the juggernaut in Miami Northwestern High School.  He won two state championships at Northwestern with high school player of the year Jacory Harris and was ranked the USA Today No.1 school in the country.

He also coached Teddy Bridgewater and Amari Cooper during his time in Miami.  His familiarity with the current coaches in Miami has resulted in recruiting successes for FAMU.  Not only is FAMU getting more players out of Miami as high schoolers, they are also returning through the transfer portal because of the foundation of Rolle’s relationships.

In one of the most publicized high school games in ESPN history, Rolle took his USA Today No.2 ranked Northwestern team to face No.1 Southlake Carroll in Texas.  Rolle and the Bulls would defeat Southlake Carroll and earn the No.1 ranking in the entire country.  All correspondents equated the game to a small college game because of the wealth of talent on both teams.

Willie Simmons' system at FAMU leads program to HBCU national title

When Simmons came to FAMU, he put a system in place.  He was not only building a great team, but setting in place a program that could achieve sustainable success at FAMU.  We saw the sustained success under Simmons.  The last thing FAMU needs right now is someone to come in and implement a new philosophy.  We’ve seen several of them over the last decade and we prefer Simmons’ system.

FAMU has a tremendous amount of momentum, even in Simmons’ departure.  FAMU Alumni have shown that they want to continue winning.  Putting up over $125,000+ in less than 36 hours screams of a fanbase that is invested into the program.

Besides the winning, which was important, probably Simmons’ biggest asset was his approachability. FAMUans loved Simmons’ accountability, accessibility, and respect for the FAMU history and culture.  He obviously knew FAMU very well and it got folks excited.  Well, Rolle knows it even better and he is beloved by FAMU Alumni as well.  He is loved by the players and respected by his fellow coaches.  Hi demeanor is exactly what FAMU loves.

Most folks I have talked to since even the rumors of Simmons leaving talked about how much they like Simmons.  Being a winner is one thing, but fitting in the culture is what makes folks cheer for, love , and spend their money to support.  It’s also the reason the Rattler nation has sent Simmons with best wishes on his journey.

I do not work at FAMU, haven’t since 2019, but since five years old, I have been on FAMUs campus.  I can’t recall a home game I’ve missed since probably 1970.  I’ve seen folks come and go and have made relationships with many of them.  Several seasoned Rattlers have seen me grow up at FAMU from Roosevelt Wilson’s son, to writing columns like him.

One thing my father always stressed to me, always feel free to express your opinion, no matter if it hurts the feelings of others.  He would say my opinion, is my opinion.  Further, he always implored me to base my opinion on facts not emotions. With 45 wins in five years, it is a fact that Simmons installed a great program at FAMU…a system of winning.  The facts point to Billy Rolle as the next FAMU head coach to come in and continue the system, while building his own legacy.

Here's are some of Billy Rolle's accomplishments as a coach

Florida Dairy Farmers Florida Coach of the Year 2008Florida State's Coach of the Year 2008National High School Football Coach of the Year by American Football  Monthly, a publication associated with Schutt Sports. 2008Louie Bing Scholarship Award (10th Annual) February 2007Coached in the Team USA Football 2007Head Coach Dade vs. Broward Nike All-Star Game 2007FAMU Sports Hall of Fame 2003Head Coach Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game 2001Educator of the Year 2000 – Chosen by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Beta Tau Chapter)NFL Miami Dolphins “Coach of the Year” (1998 & 2004)Assistant Coach Georgia vs. Florida (All-Star Game 2000)FAMU Distinguished Alumnus for Athletics 1999Coached in the Nike All-Star Classic 1999Coached in the North/South Shrine Game 1996Coached in the Stan Marks All-Star Game 1996

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU needs a new football coach; guest columnist likes Billy Rolle