MIAMI, FL – As of Saturday morning, FIU Athletics has hired the running backs coach from Duke, Willie Simmons, as the program’s next head coach and seventh all-time.
This is expected to be a four-year deal for Coach Simmons. He’s only spent this past season with Duke but has helped the program to a 9-3 record.
Prior to that tenure, Simmons made a name for himself at the FCS level. He spent six seasons as the head coach of Florida A&M.
With the Rattlers, he totaled a 45-13 record and two trips to the HBCU Championship, SWAC Championship, and the 2023 Celebration Bowl in his final year there.
For his efforts at Florida A&M, Simmons received AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year honors in 2022 & 2023 and was also named the 2023 SWAC Coach of the Year.
One of his earlier coaching jobs was at CUSA-foe Middle Tennessee from 2007-09. He was the running backs coach then, while Manny Diaz (Current head coach of Duke) was the defensive coordinator.
Other colleges that Simmons worked for include Prairie View A&M (Head Coach, 2015-17) and Alcorn State. (Offensive Coordinator, 2012-14)
More Stories
Career Performance By Marks Not Enough As KSU Downs FIU
Panthers Earn CUSA Series Win Over New Mexico State
Defense Shines For Panthers In 2025 FIU Football Spring Game