Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Stockstill names Simmons running backs coach
3/8/2007 2:39:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee head football coach Rick Stockstill announced today the hiring of Willie Simmons as running backs coach. Simmons replaces Larry Kirksey who took a job with the Houston Texans.
"I have known Willie the past nine years and know the type of character he brings to our program," said Stockstill. "We are excited to have him at Middle Tennessee because of the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to this staff and the running backs position. I know he will do a good job for us as a recruiter because of his work ethic and his passion to be here."
Simmons makes his way to Murfreesboro after one season on Tommy Bowden's staff at Clemson where he was a graduate assistant. Simmons worked with the offense while handling various other duties with the program.
Before joining Bowden's staff, Simmons served as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Lincoln (FL) High School in 2005.
Simmons, a native of Quincy, Fla., lettered three years as a quarterback at Clemson from 2000 to 2002 and passed for 2,530 yards and 16 touchdowns in 24 games. As a freshman, Simmons came off the bench for a hurt Woodrow Dantzler and threw for 228 yards and a record-tying four touchdowns in Clemson's 38-24 win at North Carolina to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors. Simmons played two years as a backup to Dantzler before becoming the starter in 2002.
Following three years at Clemson, Simmons transferred to The Citadel in 2003 and earned first team All-Southern Conference honors.
A prep star at Shanks High School, Simmons threw for over 6,000 yards and 96 touchdowns during his brilliant career while also earning a 3.8 grade point average.
Simmons, who was born on October 12, 1980 in Tallahassee, Fla., earned a degree in sports marketing from Clemson in 2002. At the time, Simmons was the earliest football player at Clemson to earn a degree when he accomplished the milestone in three years.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Coach Stockstill and his staff," added Simmons. "It's exciting to see the direction Middle Tennessee is going under Coach Stockstill and I am very glad to be here."
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