New FIU football coach Simmons fast at work to reshape staff, keep top players

According to multiple sources, the FIU Panthers are planning to retain defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt and outside linebackers coach Anthony Gaitor.

Contracts have not yet been signed, however.

According to a source, the Panthers will not retain offensive coordinator David Yost; special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Zac Roper; wide receivers coach Jay MacIntyre; and analysts Brandon Buchner and Luke Ebbesmeyer.

In the week following the introduction of Willie Simmons as FIU’s new football coach, things are hectic for the Panthers.

Simmons is interviewing numerous coaches as he attempts to build a great staff. He is also talking to current Panthers players in the transfer portal as he tries to convince them to return to FIU.

In addition, Simmons can sign junior college players until Jan. 15. And the regular signing period for high school seniors begins on Feb. 5.

Here are four takeaways regarding Simmons and/or the state of FIU football:

1: FIU DO-OVER: Simmons, who interviewed for FIU’s head-coaching in position in 2022 without getting the job, said he wasn’t bitter following that occurrence.

In fact, he said he rooted for FIU even after he got passed over.

“I didn’t get sour after not getting the job the last time,” Simmons said. “[FIU athletic director] Scott [Carr] and I have kept in contact through the years.

“[Getting passed over] wasn’t a failure for me. I learned a lot throughout that [interview] process. I was able to make some memories that will last a lifetime during my last two years at Florida A&M and even this past year at Duke.

“I’m where I’m supposed to be. That will be one of the rules of this football team — to be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.

“God had it in His plan for me to be the head football coach of FIU on Dec. 7, 2024, and I couldn’t be happier.”

2: MAKING HIS PITCH: Job One for Simmons — or at least Job 1A along with hiring a coaching staff — is to keep FIU’s top players from transferring.

Several FIU standouts are already in the transfer portal — quarterback Keyone Jenkins; wide receivers Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson; offensive linemen John Bock II and Naeer Jackson; and cornerback Hezekiah Masses.

But Simmons doesn’t believe those players really want to leave, and he plans on convincing them to stay.

“I think they love it here,” Simmons said. “You build a bond with your brothers over the years of playing together.

“It’s my job to remind them of that and lay out a plan to let them know what this program will look like next year.

“Some of these guys have just one more year left. They don’t have time to wait until we build it two years down the road. They want to know that this is the best situation for them next season.

“It’s about proving that to them and their families, and we have already started that process.”

3: ALL-CONFERENCE USA: Three FIU players made All-CUSA first team: Rivers, linebacker Travion Barnes, and JoJo Evans.

Three FIU players made the CUSA second team: Patterson; defensive tackle Jeremy Passmore; and kick returner C’Quan Jnopierre.

n addition, Jaheim Buchanon – who started 11 games at center or guard – made the All-Freshman team.

Most noteworthy, Rivers set FIU single-season records for receiving yards (1,172, fifth nationally) and receiving touchdowns (12, fourth nationally).

Barnes ranked third nationally with 129 tackles, three short of the FIU record. Jnopierre ranked third nationally in kick-return average (28.3).

“FIU is a talented team,” Simmons said. “You look at the games they played [in 2024] — they were very close. I’m not walking in here with a talentless team.

“We have a lot of pieces in place to be successful. Now it’s our job to continue to develop the players we currently have and to recruit the players we need so that we can compete for championships.”

4: FOCUSED ON ACADEMICS: Simmons’ late mother was the first college graduate in her family, and she went on to become a math teacher. She majored in Math at Florida A&M, even though her father dropped out of school in the third grade and her mom dropped out of school when she got pregnant in the 10^th grade.

Willie Simmons, meanwhile, graduated from Clemson in just three years, and his wife is a fourth-generation college graduate.“Our kids know that education is non-negotiable,” Simmons said, “and our football team will understand the same thing.”