Historic Marker Unveiled at Home of FAMU Coach Jake Gaither

April 10, 2015 By Julie Montanaro

A historic marker now stands outside the home of legendary FAMU Coach Jake Gaither.

We were the first to tell you about restoration efforts at the coach's home and now one Rattler's dream of a museum there, is a reality.

"The brick house was the home of the legendary Florida A&M University football coach Alonzo 'Jake' Gaither and his wife, Sadie," the marker reads.

This historic marker now stands in the front yard at 212 Young street in Tallahassee. It was the long time home of legendary coach Jake Gaither.

"Jake Gaither's career spans from 1937 to 1973."

His yard was once again filled with players, coaches and Rattler fans - just as it was on Saturday afternoons in the 50's and 60's.

"Oh, was it a time, it was. It was like a celebration all of the time, because winning was winning, and we knew how to win," former assistant coach Bobby Lang said.

"Coach Gaither was something special to all of us - very special. We dropped the name coach and we started calling him 'daddy," former player Rudy Givens recalled.

Tallahassee builder Cornelius Jones bought the house and expected to flip it and sell it, but ran a reverse when he realized this was Gaither's home.

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Historic Marker Unveiled at Home of FAMU Coach Jake Gaither