Simpson Named Defensive Line Coach
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former Atlanta Falcons defensive assistant and Georgia prep football coaching legend Jess Simpson has been named the University of Miami’s defensive line coach, head coach Mark Richt announced Friday.
Simpson joins the Hurricanes staff after spending the 2017 season with the Falcons. Simpson was the defensive line/assistant head coach at Georgia State in 2016.
“We are excited to welcome Jess to our Miami family,” Richt said. “He has proven to be a great leader of men, and he brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and expertise to our coaching staff.”
Simpson helped Atlanta rank ninth in the NFL in both total defense and rushing defense in 2017. The Falcons advanced to the NFC Divisional Playoffs before falling to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
In 12 years as the Buford (GA) High School head coach, Simpson won seven state titles and compiled a record of 164-12 – a .932 winning percentage.
“On every front, we are really excited,” Simpson said. “This is really turning the page and starting a new chapter for me and my family. Ultimately it was about the people and certainly this decision – to work for Mark Richt and having this opportunity at Miami in the defensive line room – was too good to pass up.
“Just saying that sentence – ‘working in the defensive line room at the University of Miami’ – is such a mouthful because of the greatness that has come from that room. I know the rich tradition of success, the types of players and defensive linemen that have come through the room and had an impact at this level and on the NFL level. We have some super talented kids in our room, incredible kids coming to join us this fall and then even more in the future. We have something special going on, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Under Simpson, the Wolves appeared in 10 consecutive state finals. Simpson spent a total of 22 years on the Buford coaching staff, helping the Wolves to 10 state titles as a head or assistant coach.
After playing college football at Auburn, Simpson began his coaching career as a student assistant for the Tigers, working under Pat Dye and Terry Bowden.
He then spent one year (1994) coaching at his alma mater, Marietta High School. Simpson served as defensive coordinator and strength coach at Buford from 1995-2004 and then took over as head coach in 2005.
During his time as an assistant, Buford won three straight state championships from 2001-03 and set the Georgia high school record with a 47-game winning streak from 2001-04.
Simpson earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn in 1993 and added a master’s in education from North Georgia College in 2002.
Simpson and his wife Tricia have four children: Luke, Cooper, Jake and Emma.
