TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Florida A7M football is betting on a new coaching staff and a renewed focus on in state recruiting to rebound after a 5-7 season that led to the firing of head coach James Colzie.
Assistant head coach and running backs coach Toriano Morgan, hired under new head coach Quinn Gray, said prioritizing Florida prospects will help the Rattlers compete for championships sooner rather than later.
Gray, a former FAMU quarterback and NFL assistant coach, assembled a staff Morgan described as “very diverse” and “very eclectic,” with more than 115 combined years of coaching experience.
“He definitely has a blueprint that suggests we win sooner rather than later,” Morgan said.
Morgan previously coached at Tennessee State, Edward Waters and Virginia State, giving him experience across multiple HBCU programs.
He said the evolving landscape of HBCU athletics — including increased financial investment, NIL collectives and facility upgrades — has made recruiting more competitive.
At Florida A&M, he said that effort starts in Florida.
Morgan called in-state recruiting the program’s “lifeline,” noting that signing local players strengthens talent pipelines and community support.
“You always want to win four hours from where your institution is,” he said.
Former Vanderbilt running back Chase Gillipse, a Tallahassee native who recently committed to FAMU, said returning home was a key factor in his decision.
“Growing up in Florida shaped me as a player because everything we do is competitive,” Gillipse said. “Just being close to family makes it easier for them to support me.”
Morgan said success in Florida often determines success nationally.
“When you win your home state, particularly a state like Florida, some may say the Mecca of football, you’ve got a good chance of winning sooner rather than later,” he said.
Beyond recruiting, Morgan said the program’s focus is building a championship culture through daily habits.
“Being a champion is not just something that happens on Saturday,” he said. “It’s a culture.”
THE CONVERSATION.