Ex-Clemson coach Bowden believes Willie Simmons will be a success at FIU

Former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden believes Willie Simmons will be a success at FIU.

Simmons, who will make his debut as FIU’s coach on Friday against visiting Bethune-Cookman, is a former Clemson quarterback who once played for Bowden.

Asked about recruiting South Florida, Bowden – son of the late and legendary coach Bobby Bowden – said Simmons doesn’t have to get all the players in this talent-rich area.

“(Simmons) just has to get his share, and I think he will,” Bowden said. “It’s a perfect location and a great place for him.”

Bowden said Simmons’ background as a quarterback has helped him as a coach. A quarterback has to know what everybody else on offense is doing, from blocking schemes to route-running. A QB has to know how defenses are attempting to disrupt an offense, too.

Another factor in Simmons’ favor, Bowden said, is the FIU’s coach’s proven resilience.

“To be successful at coaching or life you have to overcome adversity,” Bowden said. “He lost his father early and then he lost his mother. He had adversity as a player. He had setbacks early in his coaching career, and he overcame those.

“Get knocked down, get up. Get beat out for a job, get back up and fight. Lose somebody. Changing positions. It’s all about overcoming adversity and having the ability to articulate to your players the benefits of not giving up.

“He has lived it first-hand. He’s real, and that comes across to his players.”

TAYLOR TIME

Perhaps no player has drawn more raves from defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt this fall than Josiah Taylor, a second-year linebacker.

Taylor recorded at least 120 tackles in each of his final three seasons at Sebring High. In June of 2023, he committed to the University of South Florida.

However, five months later, USF backed out of the commitment, Taylor told the Miami Herald.

“I had to find out (about USF dropping him) from my head coach (at Sebring),” Taylor said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”

Fortunately for Taylor, Dewitt called him right away.

“He said, ‘Yo, let’s go!’” Taylor said of Dewitt. “He came to my house for a visit, and, ever since then, we’ve been locked in.”

Taylor said he’s not bitter toward USF -- just grateful to FIU.

“That’s in the past,” Taylor said of USF. “I’m at FIU now, and I love it. FIU gave me a chance, and I’m going to give them everything I’ve got because they believed in me.”

Taylor is competing with three other linebackers for a starting spot on FIU’s 4-2-5 defense. The other three are Percy Courtney Jr.; Dwight Nonoo; and Colorado transfer Johnny Chaney Jr.

As a backup last season, Taylor played in all 12 of FIU’s games, posting just four tackles. But he figures to make a much bigger impact this year.

“I’m quick, smart and explosive,” Taylor said when asked to describe himself as a player. “I love getting in the passing lanes. An interception is my favorite play to make.”