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Simmons Wins NCMFC National Coach of the Year Award
2/20/2024 12:44:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – The National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches selected Duke football assistant coach Willie Simmons as its 2023 National Coach of the Year.
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Before joining the Blue Devil program in January, Simmons led Florida A&M University to a 12-1 ledger last season as head coach, including a 35-14 victory over Prairie View A&M University in the SWAC Championship, a 30-26 win over Howard University in Celebration Bowl and a HBCU Division I Football National Championship.
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"I'm extremely humbled to receive this most prestigious award from the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches," Simmons said. "2023 was a year to remember and I want to thank everyone who helped make it possible. God's immeasurable grace and mercy is on full display. Thank you, Coach Michael Locksley, for continuing to fight the good fight."
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In 2023, the Rattlers ranked in the top-20 nationally in 17 categories – first in pass efficiency defense (102. 48), second in third down defense (.282) and total defense (260.80), third in scoring defense (15.2) and tackles for loss (7.8), fourth in defensive touchdowns (4), passes intercepted (17) and rushing defense (94.0), eighth in passing yards allowed (166.80), ninth in red zone defense (.714), 10th in turnovers gained (24) and sacks (2.85), 12th in first down offense (265), 16th in punt returns (14.04) 18th in time of possession (31:49), 19th in passing yards per completion (13.49) and 20th in sacks allowed (1.31).
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During his six-year stint (2018-23) as the head coach, Simmons helped the Rattlers to a 45-13 (.776) overall record and a 34-5 (.872) mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. Under Simmons' guidance, FAMU registered four-straight nine-win seasons, including two HBCU National Championships (2019 & 2023) and its first SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl title in 2023. Â Â Â Â Â
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In addition, Simmons received consecutive AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year honors (2022 & 2023) and was tabbed the 2023 SWAC Coach of the Year. The Rattlers finished with four-straight top-25 rankings, including last season when they posted a No. 5 rank in the final FCS poll, to register their highest national ranking since 1998 and their first ten-win season since 1999.
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Simmons mentored numerous players to All-MEAC and All-SWAC honors, including quarterback Ryan Stanley, who finished his career at FAMU as the school's all-time leader in passing yards (8,424), pass attempts (1,187), pass completions (636) and passing touchdowns (67). Additionally, Stanley graduated second all-time in MEAC history for passing yards and pass completions and was named the 2019 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally under Simmons, linebacker Isaiah Land earned the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award Winner, which is given annually to the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year. Land, the 2021 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5) en route to an All-America caliber season. He later signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in May 2023.
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Last season alone, Simmons guided four players to All-America nods, including the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in linebacker Isaiah Major. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native finished last season with a team-best 106 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss, while also adding two sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, five quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery, and a pick-six. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jeremy Moussa was selected the 2023 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year after completing 214-of-371 pass attempts (.577) for 2,893 yards with 22 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
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#GoDuke
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Before joining the Blue Devil program in January, Simmons led Florida A&M University to a 12-1 ledger last season as head coach, including a 35-14 victory over Prairie View A&M University in the SWAC Championship, a 30-26 win over Howard University in Celebration Bowl and a HBCU Division I Football National Championship.
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"I'm extremely humbled to receive this most prestigious award from the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches," Simmons said. "2023 was a year to remember and I want to thank everyone who helped make it possible. God's immeasurable grace and mercy is on full display. Thank you, Coach Michael Locksley, for continuing to fight the good fight."
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In 2023, the Rattlers ranked in the top-20 nationally in 17 categories – first in pass efficiency defense (102. 48), second in third down defense (.282) and total defense (260.80), third in scoring defense (15.2) and tackles for loss (7.8), fourth in defensive touchdowns (4), passes intercepted (17) and rushing defense (94.0), eighth in passing yards allowed (166.80), ninth in red zone defense (.714), 10th in turnovers gained (24) and sacks (2.85), 12th in first down offense (265), 16th in punt returns (14.04) 18th in time of possession (31:49), 19th in passing yards per completion (13.49) and 20th in sacks allowed (1.31).
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During his six-year stint (2018-23) as the head coach, Simmons helped the Rattlers to a 45-13 (.776) overall record and a 34-5 (.872) mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. Under Simmons' guidance, FAMU registered four-straight nine-win seasons, including two HBCU National Championships (2019 & 2023) and its first SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl title in 2023. Â Â Â Â Â
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In addition, Simmons received consecutive AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year honors (2022 & 2023) and was tabbed the 2023 SWAC Coach of the Year. The Rattlers finished with four-straight top-25 rankings, including last season when they posted a No. 5 rank in the final FCS poll, to register their highest national ranking since 1998 and their first ten-win season since 1999.
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Simmons mentored numerous players to All-MEAC and All-SWAC honors, including quarterback Ryan Stanley, who finished his career at FAMU as the school's all-time leader in passing yards (8,424), pass attempts (1,187), pass completions (636) and passing touchdowns (67). Additionally, Stanley graduated second all-time in MEAC history for passing yards and pass completions and was named the 2019 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally under Simmons, linebacker Isaiah Land earned the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award Winner, which is given annually to the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year. Land, the 2021 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5) en route to an All-America caliber season. He later signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in May 2023.
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Last season alone, Simmons guided four players to All-America nods, including the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in linebacker Isaiah Major. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native finished last season with a team-best 106 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss, while also adding two sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, five quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery, and a pick-six. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jeremy Moussa was selected the 2023 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year after completing 214-of-371 pass attempts (.577) for 2,893 yards with 22 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
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#GoDuke
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