Willie Simmons (American football) facts for kids
Simmons at press conference after being named head coach at Prairie View A&M
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | FIU |
| Conference | CUSA |
| Record | 0–0 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | October 12, 1980 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 2000–2002 | Clemson |
| 2003 | The Citadel |
| 2005 | Sioux City Bandits |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2005 | Lincoln HS (FL) (PGC/QB) |
| 2006 | Clemson (GA) |
| 2007–2009 | Middle Tennessee (RB) |
| 2010 | Middle Tennessee (PGC/RB) |
| 2011 | Middle Tennessee (OC/RB) |
| 2012–2014 | Alcorn State (OC/RB) |
| 2015–2017 | Prairie View A&M |
| 2018–2023 | Florida A&M |
| 2024 | Duke (RB) |
| 2025–present | FIU |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 66–24 |
| Bowls | 1-0 |
| Tournaments | 0–1 (NCAA D-I playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 black college national (2023) 1 SWAC |
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| Awards | |
| SWAC Coach of the Year (2023) 2× AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year (2022–2023) |
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Willie Román Simmons (born October 12, 1980) is an American college football coach and former quarterback. He is currently the head football coach at Florida International University (FIU). Before this, Simmons was the head coach at Prairie View A&M from 2014 to 2017 and Florida A&M from 2018 to 2023. He also worked as an offensive coordinator for the Alcorn State Braves and Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders football teams. Simmons played college football as a quarterback for Clemson and The Citadel.
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Willie Simmons: Early Life and Playing Days
Willie Román Simmons was born in Tallahassee, Florida. He was the youngest of three children and the only son. In high school, he was an All-American quarterback at James A. Shanks High School. He led his team to their first district championship in 22 years. He was also named Big Bend Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 2,505 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Simmons received over 25 scholarship offers for college. He chose to play for Clemson, where he played for three years (2000–2002). He also played in four bowl games. Willie graduated from Clemson in just three years, earning a degree in sports marketing. This was the fastest any football player had graduated from the university.
Later, he transferred to The Citadel. There, he earned All Southern Conference First Team honors. He helped the Bulldogs achieve a 6–6 record, their first non-losing season in 10 years. After college, Simmons played one season of arena football for the Sioux City Bandits.
Willie Simmons: Coaching Career
Simmons started his coaching journey in 2005 at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida. He coached the quarterbacks and was the pass game coordinator. He even coached future NFL quarterback B.J. Daniels there. After one season, he returned to his old college, Clemson, as a graduate assistant coach.
Coaching at Middle Tennessee State
After his time at Clemson, Simmons became the running backs coach at Middle Tennessee State. His former recruiter, Rick Stockstill, was the head coach there. In 2010, after three seasons, Simmons was promoted to Pass Game Coordinator. The next year, he became the offensive coordinator. At 30 years old, he was one of the youngest coordinators in college football's top division (FBS).
During his time as offensive coordinator, the Blue Raiders' offense was ranked 20th nationally. They led their conference in total offense and rushing offense.
Coaching at Alcorn State
In 2012, Simmons joined Jay Hopson's staff at Alcorn State. The team had only won two games the season before. Despite starting a new quarterback and not having spring practice, the Braves finished with a 4–7 record. They even beat the previous conference champion, Grambling State.
In 2013, the Braves and Simmons' offense had a great season, finishing 9–3 overall. Running back Arnold Walker had an amazing year, leading the conference in rushing yards and touchdowns. He also became the school's all-time leading rusher. Simmons' offense was ranked in the Top 25 nationally for total offense, rushing offense, and scoring offense.
The 2014 season was even better. The Braves won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship and were named Black College National Champions. Their offense was second nationally in scoring and fourth in rushing. Quarterback John Gibbs, Jr. was named SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
Leading Prairie View A&M
On December 16, 2014, Simmons became the head football coach at Prairie View A&M University. Even though the team faced challenges, Simmons' first season was a big success. Prairie View A&M finished with an 8–2 record. Their offense was the top-scoring offense in the nation, averaging 44.9 points per game.
Simmons was the first first-year head coach at Prairie View A&M since 1966 to have a winning record. The team's 9 wins were tied for the most since 1964. Under Simmons, Prairie View A&M had three winning seasons in a row, which was a rare achievement for the team.
Building Up Florida A&M
On December 12, 2017, Simmons was named the head football coach at Florida A&M University (FAMU). The FAMU Rattlers had been struggling with a seven-year losing streak. In his first season, Simmons led FAMU to a 6–5 record, ending their losing streak. They finished second in their conference.
The 2019 season was one of Simmons' best. The Rattlers finished with a 9–2 record and were ranked #21 in the national polls. Quarterback Ryan Stanley became the school's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Due to a self-imposed ban, FAMU could not compete for the conference championship that year.
FAMU did not play in 2020 due to COVID-19. In 2021, they joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). That season, FAMU finished 9–3 and made their first national playoff appearance since 2001. Defensive player Isaiah Land led the nation in sacks and won the Buck Buchanan Award as the best defensive player in FCS. FAMU's defense was ranked in the top 10 nationally.
In 2022, FAMU started 0-2 but then went on a 6-game winning streak. Simmons earned his 50th career win as a head coach. The Rattlers also had a long home win streak of 19 games.
Willie Simmons: Life Outside of Football
Willie Simmons is married to Shaia René Beckwith. They have six children: Louis III, Amerie, Raven, Shailoh, Wraylon, and Truth.
Willie's father was a respected mechanic who passed away when Willie was six years old. His mother was a dedicated math teacher for 28 years. She strongly believed in academic excellence. Once, when Willie got a 'C' in middle school, his mother threatened to not let him play football again! She passed away in 2005.
Willie was given the nickname "Shotgun" by his high school game announcer. This was because of his strong arm and quick release when playing quarterback.
