Florida A&M University has welcomed Giovanne Woods to complete the coaching staff for the Rattlers’ men’s basketball team for the upcoming season.
In a statement obtained by HBCU Pulse, head coach Patrick Crarey II expressed his enthusiasm for Woods’s addition, emphasizing both his coaching skills and the significance of his presence on the team.
“Gio is a major addition to our program,” Crarey stated. “He’s an outstanding young coach from Montverde Academy, recognized as the top high school program in the nation. He played professionally for ten years overseas and carries the determination from his Division II playing days. He will spearhead our player development and play a crucial role in our recruiting strategies. Gio aligns perfectly with the personality and style of our coaching staff. I am thrilled to have him join us in Tallahassee.”
Woods has spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach and head of player development at Montverde Academy, which was ranked as the number one team in the country for 2024. During his tenure, he contributed to two national championships (2022, 2024) and served as the head coach for the post-grad team from 2022 to 2024, achieving a remarkable 56-22 record and clinching the Central Division title in 2023.
Following his college basketball career at Central Washington University, Woods transitioned to a professional playing career in various countries, including Austria, Spain, Croatia, Finland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela, Mexico, Iraq, and Tunisia, before retiring in 2020 after ten years.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Crarey outlined his criteria for selecting coaches. He mentioned: “In recruiting assistant coaches to @FAMU_MBB, I was very intentional: relationship loyalty, recruiting network, winning pedigree, trending upward, strategic influence. Getting @CoachWoods86 and @CoachWalker_ from @EYBLScholastic is significant. @CoachLymas is my right hand.”
The Montverde network is expected to be instrumental in recruiting, as the academy has produced numerous high-profile NBA players, including Ben Simmons, D’Angelo Russell, R.J. Barrett, Luc Mbah a Moute, Joel Embiid, Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and rising star Cooper Flagg, among others.
As previously noted by ClutchPoints, Marquette men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart expressed strong support for FAMU’s decision to appoint Crarey as the new head coach of its men’s basketball program. This endorsement comes during a notable shift for the Rattlers, who have encountered difficulties in recent seasons.
“Patrick Crarey is a proven winner,” Smart remarked following Crarey’s hiring announcement in April. “He’s a tireless worker who builds strong relationships with his players, assists them in improving both on and off the court, and upholds a championship standard. This is an excellent hire by FAMU.”
Since taking the helm as head coach of the Rattlers, Crarey has made significant strategic decisions. This summer, he recruited Shaqir O’Neal, the son of NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal and a transfer from Texas Southern, which promises to bolster the team’s prospects.
Prior to being appointed as the 15th head coach of Florida A&M, Crarey led St. Thomas University to an impressive 61-27 record, secured two consecutive appearances in the NAIA tournament, and achieved three straight winning seasons. He directed the Bobcats to a 22-9 record in 2023-24, winning the Sun Conference regular-season championship and reaching the second round of the NAIA tournament while finishing the season ranked 21st nationally.
Image Source: Guardian Sport @ YouTube
