Willie Simmons made it clear why he’s leaving FAMU and the apex of the HBCU teaching world — he needs to be a Energy 5-level head coach.
Simmons resigned on Monday to take a job as working backs coach at Duke College beneath Manny Diaz. The 43-year-old talked completely with HBCU Gameday’s Vaughn Wilson about his reasoning for going from a head coach to a place coach.
“All through my teaching profession, I’ve checked many containers. I’ve been a play caller. I’ve been a head coach. I’ve gained a championship. I’ve put guys within the NFL. We recruited at a excessive degree. We’ve carried out quite a lot of issues, and I’ve checked lots containers off my resume.
The one factor he hasn’t carried out, Simmons famous, is teaching on a Energy 5 employees.
“ my profession and the place I need to in the end be in my profession. To have the kind of platform on a nationwide stage to steer younger males, to have a voice that resonates all through school soccer — not simply the HBCU panorama,” Simmons stated. “I believe this was a pivotal step for me to take. And that’s why we’re taking it.”
Willie Simmons cited that with 130-plus FBS packages in America, lower than 30 are led by minority coaches.
“We’ve to place ourselves to do these issues. I might like to assume that would occur at FAMU. The fact of it’s — it simply hasn’t.” Simmons stated.
“(Former South Carolina State head coach) Willie Jeffries again in 1979, (former Alcorn State head coach) Jay Hopson in 2015 — who doesn’t seem like you nor me — and Deion Sanders, who for all intents ant functions, is a one-off. It’s just one Deion “Prime” Sanders.”
Simmons led FAMU to a 12-1 season in 2023, bringing house the college’s first SWAC title and Celebration Bowl victory.
