FAMU football coach Willie Simmons heading to Duke

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FAMU football coach Willie Simmons heading to Duke

Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat · Tallahassee Democrat

Tue, Jan 2, 2024 ·

7 min read

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Willie Simmons, the hometown hero who led Florida A&M football to the HBCU national championship this season, resigned Monday as head coach after six years to become the running backs coach at Duke.

Simmons, 43, will join new Duke coach Manny Diaz, hired by the Blue Devils last month after he spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at Penn State, and start his journey in the Power 5 Conference.

The Democrat reached out to Simmons, but he did not respond. Later, he issued a lengthy statement thanking administrators, players, the Marching 100, Rattler fans and family.

"Bringing a SWAC Championship and an undisputed HBCU National Championship and Celebration Bowl trophy back to the Highest of Seven Hills has truly been one of the highlights of my 18-year collegiate coaching career," he wrote. "I came to FAMU in 2018 with the goal of returning Florida A&M Football to its rightful place at the top of HBCU and FCS football and together as a FAMULY, we have done that.

Simmons tendered his resignation with FAMU leadership Monday at 2 p.m., followed by a Zoom call when Simmons informed players of his decision.

FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes held a three-minute Zoom call with the media at 3:45 p.m., when she confirmed Simmons' departure. She hailed Simmons' "hard work" and wished him the best.

"What he did in his time here is nothing short of remarkable," she said.

James Colzie named FAMU football interim coach

She also named Assistant Head Coach/Cornerbacks Coach James Colzie as the program's interim head coach.

Sykes promised "it will be a thorough but swift search. I do recognize the impact of the timing of this announcement would have if not handled appropriately."

Sykes did not take any questions from the media.

"My vision for FAMU athletics has not changed and it is for every student athlete lo leave FAMU with a degree in one hand and a championship ring on the other," Sykes said. "It is important for me to find someone who shares that vision."

FAMU leadership had worked feverishly behind the scenes the past three days to increase its financial commitment to Simmons, his assistant coaches and the program's infrastructure.

The university committed to increase Simmons' annual salary by at least $100,000 and fulfill current and past contractual incentive bonuses to Simmons and his assistants, according to Democrat sources within the university.

But it apparently wasn't enough to keep Simmons, a Quincy native, at FAMU for a seventh season. In 2021, Simmons turned down South Carolina to become its running backs coach.

FAMU President Larry Robinson in a statement Monday thanked Simmons for his leadership "of our football program over the last six years. He has proven himself to be a champion for our players in the classroom, the community, and on the gridiron."

Robinson also praised FAMU fundraisers, including the FAMU National Alumni Association, the Rattler Boosters, the National Rattler F Club, Alpha Xi Gives, First Strike, the FAMU Foundation, and several individuals who contributed to "helping us match or exceed the salary offer that was extended to Coach Simmons."

News began to spread late last week that Duke had offered Simmons, who kept the university, his players and staff updated. Many inside the program felt Simmons was ready to take the next step in his coaching career, feeling he had accomplished what he had set out to do when hired.

Duke football is welcoming former FAMU football coach as a running backs coach.

"After days of fervent prayer and reflection, it is with an immense sense of humility and gratitude to announce that my family and I have decided to transition into the next chapter of my coaching career," Simmons wrote in his statement.

FAMU Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Ryan Smith is the lone assistant on staff who had served with Simmons during his tenure at FAMU. Smith also had a feeling Simmons would accept Duke's offer.

"Timing is everything in this business," Smith said. "He came here to win a a Celebration Bowl and he did that. You keep doing the same thing and expect a different result is not smart. That's everyone's goal to chase your dreams for a living.

"He is definitely leaving this program better than he found it."

Duke coach Manny Diaz has known FAMU's Willie Simmons for years

Simmons and Diaz have known each other for years.

Simmons and Diaz coached together as assistants at Middle Tennessee State from 2007 to 2009. Diaz was the defensive coordinator, Simmons the running backs coach.

Diaz's son Colin also served as a student assistant coach at FAMU under Simmons.

"I've got a lot of respect for Willie. I think he's a great coach," Manny Diaz told the Tallahassee Democrat in 2019 while coaching at Miami.

"When Willie took the job, and my son Colin wanted to get into coaching, it was actually my wife's idea, to give her the credit. It just seemed like a natural thing, a natural fit for him to be able to go and help him out to get his feet wet."

In six seasons at FAMU, Simmons led FAMU to a 45-13 record.

His tenure also included an FCS playoff berth, a Southwestern Athletic Conference title , and an HBCU national trophy as the Rattlers beat Howard 30-26 in the Celebration Bowl Dec. 16 in Atlanta to finish 12-1.

"While I am eager to enter the next phase of my coaching career at the highest level of college football, I am just as excited to see what's next for FAMU Football," Simmons wrote.

Hired away after three years as head coach at Prairie View A&M, Simmons signed a five-year $1.5 million contract at FAMU in December 2017. That was followed by an extension in 2021 with the same salary through 2025.

The salary for running backs across the Power 5 Conference can average around $450,000. FSU's David Johnson earned $500,000 in 2023 and is set to earn $550,000 in 2024.

Simmons' impact at FAMU and beyond was substantial.

He ignited and united a passionate fan base that has witnessed its share of losing and frustration prior to his arrival.

Off the field, Simmons has been an advocate in the community to end gun violence.

"He's such a class act," said FAMU baseball coach Jamey Shouppe, hired in 2013 and the longest tenured coach in athletics. "A very intelligent guy. He has been so good to the university and community. I am glad to see him take his next step in coaching."

Simmons is married to the former Shaia Rene Beckwith (also a Quincy native), who is a two-time graduate of Florida A&M University. They have six children.

Following his player career at Clemson, The Citadel and Sioux City (United Indoor Football League), Simmons returned to Tallahassee as an assistant at Lincoln High for one season in 2005.

Ensuing stops as an assistant included Clemson (graduate assistant), Middle Tennessee and Alcorn State. Simmons enjoyed a successful stint as a first-time head coach at Prairie View A&M, leading the Panthers to a 21-11 record over three seasons.

Simmons' overall coaching record at Prairie View and FAMU was 66-24. He hasn't had a losing season as a head coach.

Diaz is also a familiar name in Tallahassee and the ACC.

He led Miami to three bowl-eligible seasons during his time there from 2019 to 2021. Diaz, whose 2020 Miami team was ranked as high as No. 7 in the country, was fired after three seasons with a 21-15 record.

Diaz is also a graduate of Florida State and served as a graduate assistant with the Seminoles

He is working quickly to build his staff at Duke.

Early last week, he hired Jonathan Brewer as the Blue Devils' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He previously worked under Diaz at Miami.

Take a look at Willie Simmons' coaching career

2024-pres. – Duke (Running Backs)
2018-23 – Florida A&M (Head Coach)
2015-17 – Prairie View A&M (Head Coach)
2012-14 – Alcorn State (Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs)
2011 – Middle Tennessee (Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs)
2010 – Middle Tennessee (Pass Game Coordinator/Running Backs)
2007-09 – Middle Tennessee (Running Backs)
2006 – Clemson (Graduate Assistant/Offense)
2005 – Lincoln High School [Fla.] (Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU's Willie Simmons heading to Duke football as RB coach

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