Rattler Nation: AD Tiffani-Dawn Sykes needs our support—not disrespect!

I do not know Florida A&M University VP/Athletics Director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes personally, although I did get to converse with her last summer in Canton, Ohio during the NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement of FAMU legend Ken Riley and came away very optimistic that she would excel in her new position.

But I have read and listened all week to allegations of what “naysayers” have “heard” about AD Sykes telling former football Coach Willie Simmons that he was “not worth a raise” prior to Simmons taking his talents to Duke University, where he will coach running backs for new Coach Manny Diaz.

To me, “I heard” and “the street committee says” are far from concrete enough evidence to condemn AD Sykes for failing to retain Coach Simmons at FAMU, especially when the coach—as intelligent and straight a shooter as they come—went on record with journalist Vaughn Wilson to say that he has NO issues with the FAMU administration—and that his move to Durham was to further his goal of becoming an FBS head coach in the near future.

But like the old saying holds, “if you didn’t see it, I didn’t do it,” I find it hardly credible that any Athletics Director would make such a cold and callous comment in the aftermath of an amazing 12-1 season that ended with FAMU winning both the SWAC and HBCU National Championships.

Which is why I feel that unless her naysayers can state that they heard her make such comments with their own two ears, or read an email or letter from AD Sykes discrediting Coach Simmons’ work with their own two eyes, then I do hope that these “I heard” allegations will stop—because they only serve to undermine the very critical process of selecting a permanent coach—while undermining the best efforts of a new administrator who is working hard to help FAMU continue to exhibit excellence (with caring) “on gridiron, diamond, track and field!”

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Chuck Hobbs is a freelance journalist who won the 2010 Florida Bar Media Award and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.