Story Links MIAMI – With an impressive track record as a transformative and championship-caliber collegiate head coach deeply rooted in Florida, Willie Simmons has been appointed FIU’s seventh head football coach, as announced by Director of Athletics Scott Carr on Saturday. At 44 years of age, Simmons recently completed the 2024 season as an assistant coach […]
MIAMI – With an impressive track record as a transformative and championship-caliber collegiate head coach deeply rooted in Florida, Willie Simmons has been appointed FIU’s seventh head football coach, as announced by Director of Athletics Scott Carr on Saturday.
At 44 years of age, Simmons recently completed the 2024 season as an assistant coach responsible for the running backs at Duke, contributing to the ACC team’s 9-3 record. Previously, the Florida native revitalized the Florida A&M program, serving as head coach for six years (2018-23) and achieving a remarkable 45-13 (.776) overall record, alongside a 34-5 (.872) record in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) competition.
Details for a press conference to officially present Simmons will follow later on Saturday.
Moreover, Simmons – a former starting quarterback at Clemson – led the Rattlers to two HBCU National Championships (2019, 2023) and claimed the program’s inaugural SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl title in 2023.
“I am absolutely thrilled to take the helm of FIU football as we move forward!” Simmons expressed. “I am eager to elevate this program to new heights and align our athletic achievements with the academic excellence of this prestigious institution. There’s no better place for coaching and playing football than the vibrant South Florida, and we aim to recruit the best talent to the 305! The Future is NOW! PAWS UP!!!”
Prior to his time at Florida A&M, Simmons led Prairie View A&M for three seasons (2015-17), where he amassed a 21-11 overall record (.656) and a 19-6 mark (.760) in SWAC play. He achieved a winning record in all three seasons, making history as the first Panthers head coach in over 55 years to do so.
At both FAMU and PVAMU, Simmons revitalized the programs, resulting in a career record of 66-24 (.733). In the three seasons before Simmons took charge at Prairie View A&M, the Panthers were 14-19 (.424); under Simmons, they turned it around to a 22-11 (.667) record. Meanwhile, prior to Simmons’ tenure at Florida A&M, the Rattlers struggled with a 14-43 (.246) record over five seasons; in Simmons’ five seasons (excluding the COVID-impacted 2020 season), they surged to a 45-13 (.776) record.
“I am delighted to welcome Willie, his wife, Shaia, and the entire Simmons family to our FIU family,” Carr stated. “Willie is a proven champion. Throughout his eight seasons as a head coach, he has never had a losing record and has won nine or more games for the last four seasons.
“Willie maintains strong recruiting connections in South Florida and throughout the state. We are fully confident in his ability to build a competitive program that will contend for championships. This is indeed an exhilarating day for FIU, and I encourage Panther Nation to rally behind and invest in our football program. Paws Up!”
FLORIDA A&M (2018-23)
Under Simmons’ leadership, FAMU achieved four consecutive seasons with nine or more wins, highlighted by a 12-1 record and undefeated in SWAC play (8-0) during the 2023 season.
Simmons earned back-to-back AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year awards (2022, 2023) and was recognized as the 2023 SWAC Coach of the Year. The Rattlers concluded each season nationally ranked in the top 25, including a No. 5 final ranking in the FCS poll in 2023, marking their highest position since 1998 and their first 10-win season since 1999.
During the 2023 season, the Rattlers were ranked in the top-20 nationally across 17 statistical categories, achieving top 5 status in eight areas: 1st in pass efficiency defense (102.48), 2nd in third-down defense (.282) and total defense (260.8), 3rd in scoring defense (15.2) and tackles for loss (7.8), and 4th in defensive touchdowns (four), interceptions (17), and rushing defense (94.0). Additionally, FAMU concluded the year with 11 straight wins, including a 35-14 victory over Prairie View A&M in the SWAC Championship and a 30-26 win against Howard University in the Celebration Bowl.
In 2023 alone, Simmons guided four players to All-America honors, including linebacker Isaiah Major, who was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. Quarterback Jeremy Moussa earned the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year accolade after throwing for 2,893 yards and 22 touchdowns.
During his time, Simmons nurtured numerous players who received All-MEAC and All-SWAC accolades, such as quarterback Ryan Stanley, who left FAMU as the all-time leader in passing yards (8,424), attempts (1,187), completions (636), and touchdowns (67). Moreover, Stanley ranked 2nd all-time in MEAC history for passing yards and completions and was named the 2019 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year.
In addition, linebacker Isaiah Land won the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year. Land, also the 2021 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5), earning All-America recognition before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in May 2023.
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (2015-17)
Under Simmons’ direction, the Panthers consistently scored 30 or more points in 70 percent of their games, including nine occasions in 2015 when Prairie View A&M was the top-scoring FCS team in the nation, averaging 44.9 points per game.
During each of Simmons’ three years, Prairie View A&M ranked in the top 40 nationally in FCS for passing offense, scoring offense, and tackles for loss. Moreover, the Panthers achieved top-30 rankings in total offense and sacks in two of his three seasons.
ALCORN STATE (2012-14)
Before his tenure at Prairie View A&M, Simmons spent three years as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Alcorn State, where he contributed to the Braves’ 2014 SWAC title and HBCU National Championship. In his final two seasons, Simmons helped lead Alcorn State to top-20 national rankings in scoring offense, including a 2014 average of 44 points per game, which ranked 2nd in the country.
During his tenure in Lorman, Miss., quarterback John Gibbs Jr. was named the 2014 SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and broke several long-standing records previously held by Steve “Air” McNair. He became the first SWAC player to throw for over 2,500 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same season, amassing 2,482 and 1,006 yards, respectively. Additionally, the Braves had four players rushing for over 690 yards, with the wide receiver corps featuring four players with 22 or more receptions.
In Simmons’ second year at Alcorn State in 2013, the Braves finished with a 9-3 record, marking their first winning season since 2006 and their first nine-win season since 1984. Running back Arold Walker received SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the team and the conference in rushing touchdowns (16), rushing yards (1,191), and rushing yards per game (99.2). He was ranked 11th nationally for rushing scores and 18th in rushing yards. Walker concluded his career as the all-time leading rusher at Alcorn State with 2,806 yards.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE (2007-11)
Simmons began his coaching career at the current Conference USA institution – then a member of the Sun Belt Conference alongside FIU – serving as the running backs coach from 2007-09 before being elevated to pass game coordinator and running backs coach in 2010. In his final year, 2011, he served as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
During his single season as offensive coordinator, the Blue Raiders offense averaged over 400 yards per game. Simmons’ unit led the Sun Belt in total offense (401.8), rushing yards (146.75), and third-down conversion percentage (.401).
In 2010, Simmons trained a formidable trio of running backs: Phillip Tanner, Benny Cunningham, and D.D. Kyles, which helped position the Blue Raiders as one of the country’s leading rushing attacks, combining for 21 touchdowns. All three averaged over 4.5 yards per carry, leading to Tanner receiving all-conference honors. Cunningham subsequently earned 2012 All-Sun Belt distinctions before signing as an undrafted free agent with the then-St. Louis Rams in May 2013, culminating in a six-year professional career with the Rams and the Chicago Bears.
From 2007-09, Simmons guided the Blue Raiders to back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in school history (2008, 2009) and set a Middle Tennessee FBS record with 10 wins in 2009. Additionally, MTSU’s rushing offense ranked among the conference’s top 2 in both 2009 and 2010.
CLEMSON (2006)
Simmons transitioned to MTSU after a one-year role on Tommy Bowden’s staff at Clemson, where he worked as a graduate assistant focusing on the offense. The Tigers completed that year with an 8-5 record, 5-3 in the ACC, and participated in the 2006 Music City Bowl against Kentucky. Simmons played a role in developing running back C.J. Spiller, who earned Freshman All-American honors and was later drafted 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL (2005)
Simmons began his coaching journey at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, where he was the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2005 season.
COLLEGIATE & PROFESSIONAL PLAYER (2000-05)
Simmons was a three-year letterwinner (2000-02) at quarterback for Clemson, racking up 2,530 yards and 16 touchdowns across 24 games. As a freshman, he came off the bench to throw for 228 yards, tying a record with four touchdowns in Clemson’s 38-24 win over North Carolina, earning ACC Rookie of the Week honors.
Simmons spent two years as a backup before stepping into the starting role in 2002. He ended up ranking in the top 12 in passing yardage, efficiency, completion percentage, and interception avoidance in Clemson history.
After three seasons at Clemson, participating in four bowl games (1999 Peach, 2000 Gator, 2001 Humanitarian, and 2002 Tangerine), Simmons transferred to The Citadel for the 2003 season, where he garnered First Team All-Southern Conference accolades. He led the Bulldogs to their first winning season in six years, achieving only the third winning record in the previous decade.
Post his collegiate career, Simmons played professionally for one season (2005) with the Sioux City Bandits, becoming the only player in the United Indoor Football League to achieve at least one passing, rushing, receiving, and returning touchdown.
PERSONAL
Originating from Quincy, Fla., Simmons graduated from Clemson with a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing in 2002. At that time, he was the fastest player to graduate from Clemson, completing his degree in three years.
Simmons is married to Shaia Beckwith, also from Quincy, Fla., and they have sons Louis III and Wraylon, along with daughters Amerie, Raven, Shailoh, and Truth.
THE WILLIE SIMMONS FILE
Hometown: Quincy, Fla.
Education: Clemson, 2002 (Sports Marketing)
Wife: Shaia
Children: Louis III, Amerie, Raven, Shailoh, Wraylon, Truth
Birthday: Oct. 12, 1980
WILLIE SIMMONS COACHING TIMELINE
2005: Lincoln HS (Fla.) (Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
2006: Clemson (Graduate Assistant/Offense)
2007-09: Middle Tennessee (Running Backs)
2010: Middle Tennessee (Pass Game Coordinator/Running Backs)
2011: Middle Tennessee (Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs)
2012-14: Alcorn State (Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs)
2015-17: Prairie View A&M (Head Coach)
2018-23: Florida A&M (Head Coach)
2024: Duke (Assistant Coach/Running Backs)
Present: FIU (Head Coach)
