FAMU head coach Alex Wood resigns, O-line coach Edwin Pata takes over as interim

Once again, Florida A&M University is searching for a permanent head football coach.

Monday morning, the first work day following a crushing 29-24 loss to arch rival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic in Orlando, Alex Wood resigned as Florida A&M's head football coach.

Outgoing Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr confirmed Wood's resignation. Wood's contract, a 3-year deal, ends next month.

Offensive line coach Edwin Pata will be the team's interim head coach.

"You can see it on film, coach Wood said it perfectly, we just didn't finish," Pata said. "A lot of games we lost were in the fourth quarter when we had leads in the fourth quarter. We're right at the cusp of winning. We all know that. I think the fan base sees it."

Wood, who was hired before the 2015 season, went 8-25 in three seasons at the helm of the Rattlers. FAMU finished this season 3-8 and 2-6 in MEAC play after a 4-7 (4-4 MEAC) finish in 2016.

Wood was brought on to replace Earl Holmes, who didn't even get three full seasons as the team's head coach.

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FAMU will start a national search to find the team's next head football coach. It'll be an early challenge for interim Athletic Director John Eason, who starts Dec. 1.The search committee will be led by Eason.

"Wood has served FAMU Athletics with honor as he worked to help rebuild the Rattler football program during the past three seasons," Overton said. "We thank him for his dedication and service."

FAMU's players and coaches held a meeting at 7 a.m. on Monday. During the meeting, Wood told the team he was resigning and Pata was named the team's interim head coach.

"It's definitely not easy," redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Stanley said. "Football is a game of business, so you know, when someone's contract is up, they just look at the facts and the records. Coach Wood has done some great things on and off the field."

Redshirt sophomore safety Terry Jefferson said this is his first time experiencing a coaching change.

"It makes it tough," he said.

"At the same time, the sun will come up tomorrow. We just have to keep rolling. Life will continue. I wish the best for (Wood) in his coaching career. I know FAMU will continue to build. I'm glad he was a part of the situation we were in as far as APR sanctions and things like that.

"I'm happy he came through this program and made men out of boys. I just wish him the best of luck."

Both Jefferson and Stanley were part of Wood's first recruiting class.

The Rattlers on Saturday blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter against B-CU. Wood said the game came down to an ill-advised fake punt that was stopped for a turnover on downs with the Rattlers up 24-17 in B-CU territory.

That fake punt prompted State Rep. Ramon Alexander to call for Wood's firing on Twitter.

The Rattlers were either tied or ahead in the second halves of five of the team’s six conference losses this season

When Wood was brought on in December 2014, the Rattlers were ineligible for postseason play due to low APR scores. Plus, the team had limited practice hours and lost spring practice in his second season.

Academically, the team has turned things around. FAMU is no longer on NCAA probation, the team’s graduation rates are higher and Wood said the group will post a 948 single-year APR after this season.

After the Florida Classic, Wood said he “absolutely” believes FAMU's football program is in a better place than it was when he took over.

“Usually, you coach through your senior class, which is four years. You coach them guys because you've been trying to develop them,” Wood said in Orlando.

“And if it don't work then, then I get it. And I get it today. If that's the way it goes, I get it. I mean, if that's the culture, that's great. No problem. You know, and we'll just move on and do whatever."

Contact Jordan Culver at jculver@tallahassee.com.