Simmons Named Video Graduate Assistant

Aug. 3, 2006

Clemson, SC-Former Clemson quarterback Willie Simmons has joined Tommy Bowden’s staff as a video graduate assistant for the offense.

He replaces Richie Wessman, who resigned in July to take a position with the Tennessee Titans of the NFL.

“We are pleased to have Willie Simmons return to our program,” said Bowden. “He will give us a keen eye from an offensive preparation standpoint in dealing with our film study. Willie is an outstanding young man who will have a future in coaching.”

Simmons came to Clemson as a freshman in August of 1999.

After red-shirting that season, he played for the Tigers from 2000 through 2002. He earned his marketing degree in May of 2002. He played the 2003 season for The Citadel.

Simmons played in 24 games, eight as a starter for the Tigers. He completed 204 of 391 yards for 2530 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. He is 12th in Clemson history in passing yardage and 11th in completions.

As a freshman in 2000 Simmons threw eight touchdown passes in just 92 attempts as a backup to Woodrow Dantzler on Clemson’s 9-3 team that finished 14th in the final AP poll. That year he threw four touchdowns passes in the victory at North Carolina, tying the Clemson single game record. Simmons was named ACC Rookie of the Week for that performance.

He played in just five games as a backup to Dantzler in 2001, then played in 10 games in 2002, eight as a starter. He completed 142 of 244 passes for 1559 yards in 2002. He was named the Chevrolet ABC Player of the Game in Clemson’s victory over Wake Forest in 2002.

In 2003 at The Citadel, Simmons completed 153 of 300 passes for 1864 yards. The 1864 yards rank fifth in The Citadel history in passing yards for one season. His season included a college career high 32 yards against Western Carolina. At the conclusion of the 2003 season, Simmons was named first-team All-Southern Conference quarterback.

Simmons was the offensive coordinator at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee last year.