'Rolling up your sleeves.' FAMU football coach Willie Simmons continues program's rebuild

Willie Simmons is not deterred by challenges.

Florida A&M’s football coach is determined to build a championship-caliber program that allows players to achieve their goals.

Degree.

Championships.

National awards.

Pro football.

It’s impossible not to notice that Simmons is rebuilding the Rattlers’ storied brand in a first-class manner.

“Just trying to stay ahead of the curve,” Simmons said.

“We have some great opportunities out there and we have to take advantage of them. I am pleased but not satisfied. We still have so much work to do. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and going to work.”

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Another strong season for the Rattlers

FAMU is working it, too.

Simmons, 41, and the Rattlers are coming off another strong season.

The team finished 9-3 in their SWAC debut, qualified for the FCS playoffs after the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and finished No. 24 in the final FCS Coaches poll.

FAMU was also ranked No.1 in an NCAA HBCU power rankings poll and declared itself Black college football national champion.

Linebacker/defensive end Isaiah Land received the 2021 Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top defensive player.

Defensive back Markquese Bell, a recent graduate, offensive lineman Keenan Forbes and safety Antwan Collier will participate in the NFL HBCU Scouting Combine later this month. (Bell, by the way, deserves an invite to the Senior Bowl as well).

And Simmons was named as one of the co-head coaches in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans next month.

Winning helps provide exposure and opportunity, but it’s about resources, too.

The Rattlers must compete at the highest level their capability allows to remain relevant at the HBCU and Football Championship Subdivision levels.

Athletics Director Kortne Gosha, who has a strong working relationship with Simmons, has been tireless in his efforts the past two years. Last month, athletics announced a battery of capital projects and facility improvements that are long overdue.

Bragg Memorial Stadium is undergoing needed renovations.

Simmons, who applauded the administration’s commitment to athletics and football, also pointed out gift-giving is at an all-time high. And the department's apparel deal with Nike and LeBron James is immeasurable.

No wiggle room financially

Still, the cycle never ends.

According to USA Today’s annual review of schools’ athletics revenue and expenses, FAMU’s total revenue has hovered between just under $7 million to $12.5 million from 2005 to the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

That’s not much breathing room financially.

Simmons, however, focuses on what he can control.

The Quincy native is entering his fifth season at FAMU and signed through 2024. His career mark with the Rattlers is 21-10, 19-4 in conference games.

He’s recruiting at a high level and navigating the transfer portal. He’s developing players and young men. He’s winning. He's helping raise money. He’s marketing the program and university on social media.

FAMU and its fellow HBCUs are also benefitting greatly from Deion Sanders' impact at Jackson State, described by the media as "The Coach Prime Effect" or "Deion Sanders Effect." Whatever it's called - and whether you like or dislike Sanders - the Pro Football Hall of Famer has raised the level of competition, recruitment and notoriety of Black college football.

Former NFLers Eddie George at Tennessee State and Bubba McDowell at Prairie View A&M also give their respective programs instant name recognition. Even Hall of Famer Jerry Rice told Sports Illustrated he hadn't given coaching much of a thought until Sanders took over at Jackson State.

Simmons also merits respect for what he has accomplished at FAMU, which opens its 2022 season at North Carolina Aug. 27.

In a manual Simmons provides players each year, he reminds them they are working 300-plus days for 13 game-day opportunities. "Do that math," Simmons said when referring to discipline and commitment.

Again, Simmons is not deterred by challenges.

He is rolling up his sleeves, reaching higher and continuing conversations of how the Rattlers can further strengthen their success.

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football: Coach Willie Simmons continues Rattlers' team rebuild