Every season has its storyline, but this year’s Florida Classic feels different—sharper, more intentional, and fueled by a level of growth that both programs have worked hard to earn. As we sat down with Coach Kosey and Coach Quigley ahead of the big matchup, one theme echoed from both sidelines: elevation. Not just in talent, but in maturity, discipline, and a renewed commitment to the details that win football games.
Coach Kosey opened the conversation with a sense of pride that couldn’t be coached or rehearsed. For him, the transformation starts off the field. “To see these young men grow, both in the classroom and outside the classroom—that’s a blessing,” he said. It’s a tone that sets the stage for what’s different this year. Last season was about searching for identity. This season is about standing firm in it. With a renewed camaraderie and an offense that finally feels unlocked, there’s a new confidence pulsing through the Wildcats’ locker room.
One of the biggest game changers? The quarterback position. Last year the role was unsettled, with inconsistency slowing the offense and limiting big-play potential. But this season, RJ Johnson has stepped in and solidified himself as QB1, bringing stability and trust to the offense. “He’s been doing a great job… trusting RJ, allowing him the space to grow,” Coach Kosey said. That confidence in Johnson has opened the playbook and stretched the field, giving the Wildcats the firepower they were missing last year. More shots downfield, more explosive plays, more points—it’s the kind of shift that doesn’t just change drives, but changes destinies.
And of course, the Duke brothers—numbers 5 and 6—have matured into exactly the kind of impact players every coach dreams of developing. Last season they were promising talents; this season they are certified playmakers. Their chemistry with RJ, combined with the evolution of the offensive line and special teams, has transformed the Wildcats from a team with potential into a team with purpose.
But the growth isn’t limited to Bethune-Cookman. Florida A&M also enters the Classic a different squad than they were last season. After injuries and inconsistencies slowed them down last year, this season’s Rattlers arrive with renewed discipline, crisper execution, and a deeper commitment to finishing games. With Coach James Coleman at the helm, FAMU has embraced a “detail-first” identity—one built on taking care of the little things that become big things on game day. If last year was about rebuilding, this year is about reclaiming dominance.
Still, no matter how much excitement surrounds the Classic, both coaches remain locked in on focus. “We play for the fans, the community, the tradition,” Coach Quigley said, “but at the end of the day, the most important thing is the game.” That’s the heart of the Florida Classic: legacy meeting opportunity.
And this year, both teams step onto that Camping World Stadium field with something new—momentum, clarity, and the hunger to write a different chapter than the one before. This is not last year’s Classic. This is a new era.
