Willie Simmons made his name as one of the best college football coaches. He’s worked in several schools and performed well. It’s not every day that you hear of football coaches of this level because those from the National Football League (NFL) dominate. Simmons is highly rated and recently left his job at the University of Florida A&M. Let’s look back at his career and where he is now.
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Willie Simmons’ Early Career
Willie Simmons was born in Florida. He played football for James A. Shanks High School and was highly ranked after helping the team win the district championship in 22 years. He registered over 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns to win the Big Bend Offensive Player of the Year.
For his outstanding performances, Simmons received over 20 scholarships and decided to attend Clemson College. His main draw was to play for Tommy Bowden. During his time at the school, he played in four bowl games.
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College Senior Year
In his senior year, he left Clemson College for Florida A&M University but couldn’t play for them because the school was declared ineligible. He didn’t sit back. Instead, he represented The Citadel where he excelled, just like he did in high school.
The team won the Southern Conference undefeated, a feat they achieved for the first time in 10 years. Afterwards, he proceeded to the Sioux City Bandits, the last team he played for. Unfortunately, Willie Simmons didn’t play in the NFL.
Academically, the football player graduated in three years with a bachelor’s degree in sports marketing.
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Managerial Career
After his playing days were over, Simmons embarked on his coaching career. He started at the Lincoln High School in Tallahassee Florida where he worked as the quarterback coach and game coordinator. A year after joining the team, he returned to Clemson as a graduate coach. He turned the Bulldogs into a winning team.
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Middle Tennessee State
In 2007, coach Simmons moved to the Middle Tennessee State University, where he was a running back coach and then became the pass games coordinator. From there, he worked as an offensive coordinator and helped the Tigers become the best in offence.
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Alcorn State
Five years later, another move was on the cards. The former footballer joined Alcorn State. He turned around the team’s fortunes, from a side that only won two games in 2011 to one that finished with a 4-7 record.
He also moulded Arnold Walker who became the best offensive player after leading in touchdowns and rushing yards. The team became the best in offensive positions, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and getting the Black College National Champions recognition.
Prairie View A&M
He delivered the results again when he transferred to Prairie View A&M. Simmons created a fierce offence and ranked high nationally. He led the team to two consecutive winning seasons, a feat that’s only been achieved twice in 50 years.
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Florida A&M
After two years at Praire, coach Willie Simmons returned to his alma mater, Florida A&M, the Rattlers. The team was struggling and only in his second season, he led them to a second-place finish in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Another one of his players led in passing yards, passing attempts, completions, and passing touchdowns. Simmons led them back to the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 35 years. The team won the National Championship and Celebration Bowl in 2023.
Additionally, they had the best defense in the division and ranked 10th nationally. Markquese Bell was the first player from the university to get into the NFL after the Dallas Cowboys drafted him.
In 2024, Willie Simmons left FAMU as the head football coach to take up Duke’s running backs job. He led the team to three top-25 finishes in the Football Championship Subdivision. With the impending news that he’ll be leaving, the FAMU National Alumni Association raised over $138,000 to keep him.
Willie Simmons is one of the biggest head coaches in college football. He has specialised in it and although the NFL coaches get a lot of attention, his record speaks for itself.
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