What Is 2013 Florida A&M Rattlers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in the NCAA Division I FCS, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Alvin Wyatt. They competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), where they posted a 4–4 conference record.

Key Facts

The 2013 Florida A&M Rattlers finished with a 6–5 overall record
They went 4–4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Head coach Alvin Wyatt led the team during the 2013 season
The Rattlers played their home games at Bragg Memorial Stadium
They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2013

Overview

The 2013 Florida A&M Rattlers football team represented Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the team was led by head coach Alvin Wyatt in his second season at the helm.

The Rattlers played their home games at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, a venue with a capacity of 25,500. Despite showing moments of competitiveness, the team did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, finishing the season with a losing record in conference play.

Record: The Rattlers finished the 2013 season with a 6–5 overall record, marking a slight improvement from the previous year’s 3–8 campaign.
Conference performance: In MEAC play, they posted a 4–4 record, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head coach: Alvin Wyatt served as head coach, having taken over the program in 2012 after a long career as a defensive coordinator and assistant.
Home stadium: Bragg Memorial Stadium, located on campus, hosted all home games and has been the team’s home since 1957.
Playoff eligibility: The team did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, as only conference champions or top-ranked at-large teams receive bids.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign saw the Rattlers face a challenging schedule, including non-conference matchups and tough MEAC opponents. Their performance reflected a team in transition, with inconsistent offensive output and defensive struggles.

Offensive output: The team averaged 24.3 points per game, ranking in the bottom half of the FCS in scoring offense.
Defensive performance: They allowed an average of 27.8 points per game, indicating challenges in containing opposing offenses.
Key victory: A 37–20 win over Bethune-Cookman in November kept their rivalry streak alive and provided a late-season highlight.
Notable loss: A 35–14 defeat to eventual MEAC champion North Carolina A&T highlighted the gap between top and mid-tier teams in the conference.
Quarterback play: Senior Robinson Rash started most games, throwing for 1,612 yards and 10 touchdowns with 7 interceptions.
Running game: The Rattlers relied on Willie Simmons, who rushed for 689 yards and 5 touchdowns on 147 carries.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2013 Rattlers' performance can be better understood by comparing it to recent seasons and conference peers. The following table highlights key metrics:

Season	Overall Record	MEAC Record	Points For	Points Against
2011	4–7	4–4	20.5 ppg	26.4 ppg
2012	3–8	3–5	19.8 ppg	29.1 ppg
2013	6–5	4–4	24.3 ppg	27.8 ppg
2014	5–6	4–4	22.1 ppg	25.9 ppg
2015	3–8	3–5	18.7 ppg	31.2 ppg

The 2013 season represented a modest improvement over the previous two years, particularly in overall wins and offensive production. However, the team still struggled to maintain consistency, especially in close conference games. While they avoided a losing season, the Rattlers remained outside the MEAC championship conversation, which was dominated by North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State during this period.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year for Florida A&M football, reflecting both progress and ongoing challenges under Alvin Wyatt’s leadership. As a historically prominent HBCU program, expectations remain high for sustained success and playoff appearances.

Program stability: The 6–5 record provided some stability after two losing seasons, helping retain confidence among fans and recruits.
Recruiting impact: Moderate success in 2013 helped the Rattlers secure a competitive recruiting class for 2014.
Coaching evaluation: Despite the improvement, the lack of a winning conference record led to increased scrutiny on Wyatt’s long-term viability.
HBCU legacy: Florida A&M has a rich football tradition, including an 1978 Division I-AA national championship, raising expectations.
Financial implications: Playoff appearances bring revenue and exposure, both of which were missed in 2013.
Future trajectory: The 2013 season laid groundwork for later improvements, though Wyatt was eventually replaced after the 2014 season.

While not a championship-caliber year, the 2013 season was a step toward rebuilding the Rattlers’ football prominence, setting the stage for future coaching changes and program development.