New Duke head coach Manny Diaz is building out his staff for his debut season, and a report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz on Friday says he has his eyes on Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons for his running backs coach.
Simmons has been the Rattlers’ head coach for the past five seasons. He led the team to a 45-13 record in that time frame, highlighted by a 12-1 season this year that culminated in a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game victory over Prairie View A&M and a Celebration Bowl victory over Howard.
After an 0-2 start in 2022, Florida A&M has won 21 of its past 22 games.
Simmons worked with Diaz before while they were both at Middle Tennessee. Diaz was the team’s defensive coordinator from 2006-09, also coaching safeties and linebackers. Simmons coached the running backs from 2007-11, and he was promoted to offensive coordinator for his final season before he left to coach at Alcorn State.
At just 43 years old, Simmons has catapulted up the coaching ranks. He was made a coordinator at 30 years old, and he has nine years of head coaching experience already.
Duke is targeting Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons for its running backs coach job, sources tell @247sports.
Simmons has led Florida A&M to a 39-8 record the last four years, including a 12-1 mark this year. Simmons and Manny Diaz previously worked together at Middle… pic.twitter.com/EcoRtU9Ol9
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 29, 2023