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Former Clemson QB Takes College Football Head Coaching Job

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Dec 7, 2024 1:56 PM ET

A former Clemson Tigers quarterback is taking over as head coach of an FBS program after spending the 2024 season as a running backs coach at Duke.

Willie Simmons played quarterback for Clemson from 2000-2002. He appeared in 22 games for the Tigers. The Tallahassee, Florida native went 197-of-375 passing for 2,410 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his time at Clemson. He participated in the Gator Bowl, Humanitarian Bowl and Tangerine Bowl with Clemson.

Per a statement by FIU, the school named Simmons as the Panthers head coach on Saturday.

"Possessing a proven pedigree as a program-changing and championship-winning collegiate head coach with deep Florida ties, Willie Simmons has been named FIU's seventh head football coach, Director of Athletics Scott Carr announced Saturday," the statement reads.

Simmons has experience as a head coach with Prairie View A&M (2015-2017) and Florida A&M (2018-2023). Simmons won SWAC Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading Florida A&M to a 12-1 record. The Rattlers defeated the Howard Bison 30-26 in the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl.

The 44-year-old has a 66-24 record as a head coach.

Simmons got his start in coaching at Lincoln High School in Florida for the 2005 season. He served as a graduate assistant at Clemson for the 2006 season.

Simmons was hired as a running backs coach for Middle Tennessee in 2007. He worked his way up to offensive coordinator before leaving for the offensive coordinator job at Alcorn State in 2012.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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