FAMU hires national championship-winning coach to oversee men's basketball program

Florida A&M has its 15th head men’s basketball coach.

On Wednesday, the program announced Patrick Crarey II as the new leader of the Rattlers’ men’s basketball program.

Crarey arrives at FAMU from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic program St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Game Operations and head men’s basketball coach.

Crarey replaces former FAMU coach Robert McCullum. After seven seasons, FAMU parted ways with McCullum, who went 67-133 with the Rattlers.

McCullum’s contract expires on June 30.

FAMU men’s basketball went 6-23 last season.

“Rattler Nation, I am humbled and elated to join the FAMUly as the new head coach of the men’s basketball team at the number one public HBCU, Florida A&M University,” Crarey said in a released statement.

“I am extremely thankful to President Robinson and AD Sykes for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program. We look forward to building strong relationships with the student body, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Tallahassee community.

“Our program is poised to become a perennial contender in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and I can’t wait to get started.”

With the help of an assembled search committee, FAMU conducted a national search to land Crarey as its men’s basketball coach.

Crarey, a Washington, D.C. native and La Sierra alumnus, has 15 years of head coaching experience, getting his first job leading a program at Takoma Academy in Maryland.

Crarey has two head coaching stops on the college level, both on the NAIA level at Washington Adventist and St. Thomas. He has a 61-27 record as a college coach.

In 2014, Washington Adventist won the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men’s basketball National Championship.

Crarey earned the honor of Sun Conference Coach of the Year this past season for leading St. Thomas to a 22-9 record and the league’s regular season championship.

Crarey is FAMU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes’ fourth head coaching hire, joining women’s basketball’s Bridgette Gordon, bowling’s Capri Howard, and football’s James Colzie III.

“I’m delighted to welcome Coach Crarey and his family as the newest members of the FAMUly,” said Sykes.

“I must thank the dedicated members of the search committee for their diligent efforts in identifying Patrick amidst a pool of interested and talented candidates. During this process, I received countless emails and messages from people who shared that they wanted a winner, and Patrick’s reputation as a winner precedes him.

“I look forward to his fresh perspective and the leadership he’ll bring as we usher in a new era for FAMU men’s basketball.”

Crarey will have his introductory press conference at 2 p.m. on Thursday. FAMU will stream it on Rattlers Plus.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Basketball: Patrick Crarey II hired to lead Rattlers men's hoops