Willie Simmons to Lead FIU Football Program

Willie Simmons has been appointed as the new head coach for Florida International University's (FIU) football team, following the dismissal of Mike MacIntyre after three consecutive 4-8 seasons. Simmons, previously the running backs coach at Duke, brings a strong track record from his tenure at Florida A&M, where he led the team to a 66-24 record and a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in 2023. His contract with FIU spans four years, and he's tasked with revitalizing a program that has historically struggled, winning just 34% of its games. Simmons' head coaching experience and extensive recruiting background in Florida were key factors in his hiring. He replaces Mike MacIntyre and was chosen over other finalists like FIU's defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt and UCF's offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr., who lack head coaching experience. The school aims to leverage Simmons' leadership to achieve success in the Conference USA championship.