Camise Patterson is no longer the coach of Florida A&M softball.
Patterson resigned earlier this month to take a head coaching position at Alabama State.
Patterson’s resignation from FAMU was effective July 18, and her new role at ASU was officially announced on July 19.
Patterson will succeed ASU head coach Todd Bradley, who led the Hornets for the past five seasons. Bradley stepped down from his position due to personal reasons.
In two seasons at the helm of the program, Patterson had substantial success. Under her leadership, nine players earned All-SWAC honors. Freshman standout, Zoryana Hughes, earned the SWAC Pitcher of the Year award for her performance during this past season.
Six of her players also received invitations to the Minority Prospects HBCU All-Star Game. In June, Patterson was recognized as the weCOACH Coach of the Month.
Patterson was named SWAC co-coach of the year for the 2023-24 season.
Patterson’s career at FAMU began as a volunteer assistant in 2016 before she was promoted to assistant coach.
She ultimately became the head coach in 2022. She previously served under legendary coach Veronica Wiggins. Wiggins is the only HBCU coach to surpass 700 wins.
In a farewell Instagram post on July 23, Patterson expressed her gratitude to the FAMU community.
“Thank you for embracing me, loving me, and accepting me as one of your own,” Patterson wrote. “Tallahassee will always be somewhere I consider home because of the love and the growth that I’ve experienced here.”
Patterson’s new position at Alabama State has been met with enthusiasm. In a post dated July 24, she expressed her eagerness to join ASU.
“To the team: Get ready to hit the ground running, get ready to DOMINATE, and get ready to set the GOLD STANDARD in the SWAC,” Patterson wrote.
Patterson’s departure from FAMU came as a shock to many as the team came second in the 2024 SWAC Tournament. Players like Neriah Lee, a junior outfielder for the Rattlers, shared they were excited for the future of the team.
“I am glad I got the opportunity to play under [Coach Patterson],” Lee said. “Although we have spots to fill in our staff, I am confident in my teammates and our ability to win a championship this year.”
As of now, FAMU has not announced a replacement for Patterson.