A Q&A with first-year FIU coach Willie Simmons, part 2: It’s all about the fall
The Herald recently spoke to new FIU football coach Willie Simmons for nearly an hour.
This is the second of a three-part series:
What’s more fun: spring football, where every team is optimistic; or the actual season, which usually has ups and downs?
There’s nothing like the fall. Everything we do – the winter, spring, summer … It’s all for the fall. All the hard work and the long hours, it’s all for those 12 Saturdays in the fall to show what you’re made of.
Describe yourself as a player – what kind of quarterback were you at Clemson and at The Citadel?
I was in the wrong era. Had I played today, I think my career would’ve gone a lot farther. I tried to play the game through the lens of my coach. I wanted to study defenses and attack them.
I wasn’t a runner. I wasn’t going to carry the ball like Lamar Jackson. I was more of a pocket passer who could move around a bit and extend plays.
I threw a good deep ball. That was probably my best attribute. Today the game is lot more open and spread out, and I would’ve loved to have played in this era of run/pass option.
Do you see yourself in FIU starting quarterback Keyone “Lights Out” Jenkins?
I see a lot of my playing style in ‘Lights’. He is a pocket passer who has the ability to run and extend plays. When he does pull it down, you see him make people miss in the open field.
There are similarities between me and Lights. The biggest difference is he is a lefty, and I’m a righty.
I think he has the potential to be not only the best quarterback in our conference but possibly in the nation.
What is the strength of your team?
The running back room. Kejon Owens has had a phenomenal spring camp. Ajay Allen has done some good things, and even (Devonte Lyons) has impressed us with is ability to hit the home run.
We feel good that we have three running backs who can compete at a high level.
On defense, I’m excited about our cornerbacks. Brian Blades II is a staple back there. Ashton Levells has had a good camp. Victor Evans III and Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine have done good things. I like our depth, athleticism and speed. That’s a group that can make dynamic plays for us.
What is the biggest area of concern?
On the offensive line, we have some guys who missed the spring due to off-season surgery. Same thing on the defensive line with pass-rushers such as Eddie Walls III, Aaron Armitage and Claude Larkins.
Getting those guys back will be key for us. The o-line and d-line are the two most critical positions for us. We will go as they go.
Veteran center Julius Pierce has been moved to tackle. What do you like about Julius?
“He has shown his versatility by playing tackle, and there’s the possibility of moving him back inside at some point.
When the second transfer portal opens up (on April 16), we may address some of these positional needs.
Plus, we also have 13 freshmen who did not graduate early (and are set to make their FIU debut this summer or fall).
Which player impressed you most with his effort this spring?
(Defensive end) Keegan Davis – he plays with a high motor. He jumps out on film almost every day – chasing the ball, transitioning from drill to drill … His enthusiasm is infectious. We have highlighted his effort on more than one occasion.
As a coach, you can’t get enough of guys like that. If we had 11 guys like him, we’d be really special.
Are you a gambling-type of coach?
I’d like to think I take calculated risks. But it is based on a lot of factors.
If we have a great defense, I’m more prone to be conservative because we can punt the ball and our defense can hold up.
If we he have a phenomenal punter and field-goal kicker, I’d be more prone to punting or kicking a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down.
A lot of it will depend on our roster.
I’m not a gunslinger, even though my nickname is ‘Shotgun.’ I’m not going to go for it on every fourth down. But I’m also not ‘Mr. Conservative’ who is going to punt every time, either.
We will mix it up. We will keep the other team off balance, not knowing when we will fake a kick.