After initial scepticism over the hiring of men’s basketball coach Patrick Crarey II, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has rewarded him for a season of remarkable progress.
On Wednesday, the board’s athletics committee approved a multi-year contract extension valued at $330,000, ensuring Crarey’s continued leadership of the Rattlers. The full board approved the measure on Thursday.
“Although the contract adds some additional expense to future budgets, the contract also adds stability for future year planning purposes, extending contracts now that may prove to be more cost-efficient,” FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs told the board.
The extension follows a significant turnaround under Crarey’s leadership. Last season, the Rattlers struggled to a 6-23 record.
This year, they have improved to 10-12 overall and are tied for second place in the SWAC with a 7-4 conference record.
The team, initially ranked 11th out of 12 in the preseason SWAC rankings, is now considered a legitimate contender.
Crarey was hired away from St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens in April 2024. Despite early concerns, including his decision to overhaul the roster by dismissing 16 players, he has reshaped the program into a competitive force.
The Rattlers are in position to make their first SWAC tournament appearance since 2021.
According to AD Suggs, Crarey’s new contract provides financial stability while incentivizing further success. The agreement includes:
– Base salary: $160,000 for the 2025-2026 season, increasing to $170,000 for 2026-2027
– Retention bonus: $30,000 payable by September 2025
– Performance Incentives:
– $1,000 for a regular-season conference title
– $2,000 for a SWAC tournament championship
– $2,500 for Conference Coach of the Year honors
– $1,000 for an NIT appearance
– $2,500 for an NCAA Tournament berth
– $5,000 for the first NCAA Tournament win, plus $1,000 for each additional victory
– $15,000 for an NCAA Final Four appearance
– $30,000 if game guarantees exceed $600,000 annually
– $7,000 for a single-game win over a Power Five opponent
In a postgame press conference on Saturday, Crarey addressed the team’s unexpected rise in the SWAC standings.
“They gave me a one-year contract and they picked us 11th in the league. What were the expectations?” Crarey said. “I’m the only person here that had expectations — our players believed. Because I believed in them and they believed in us.”
The Rattlers will look to get an Alabama sweep this weekend as they travel to Montgomery and Huntsville to take on Alabama State and Alabama A&M.