Among historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) that play football, few have more tradition and accomplishments than the Florida A&M Rattlers. Despite playing second fiddle to Florida State in the state capital of Tallahassee, it’s rarely easy to find cheap Florida A&M football tickets. The Rattlers have a strong following, intense rivalries, and play in a conference (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) that loves college football, all of which puts last-minute Florida A&M football tickets in high demand.

Beginner’s Luck

For more than 40 years, Florida A&M was a dominant force at the Division II level. Between 1937 and 1977, the Rattlers won 28 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, most of which under Hall of Fame coach Jake Gaither. In 1978, coach Rudy Hubbard took Florida A&M to the 1-AA level, winning the 1-AA national championship that season. Oddly enough, it didn’t turn out to be a turning point for the program. Yet, it was the greatest accomplishment in Florida A&M football history.

Snake in the Grass

Despite the national championship in 1978, the 1980s turned out to be a forgettable decade for Florida A&M. However, the Rattlers came alive again in the 1990s under head coach Billy Joe, whose career as a player included AFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1963. From 1995 to 2001, Joe led Florida A&M to five MEAC championships and six consecutive appearances in the 1-AA Playoffs. Equally important, in 1998, Joe led the Rattlers to their first black college football national championship since 1978. That accomplishment put Florida A&M back on the map among the top HBCU football programs.

The End of the Tunnel

Outside of winning a share of the MEAC title in 2010, the 21st century has not been kind to Florida A&M. Not only have the Rattlers struggle to find success, but they found themselves at the bottom of the MEAC for many seasons. Alas, the program has started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In 2018, Tallahassee native Willie Simmons was hired as the new head coach. One year later, the Rattlers finished 9-2 and finished first in the MEAC. It was a strong sign that Florida A&M’s future is as promising as the program’s past.