Clyde Simmons

Clyde Simmons Jr. (born August 4, 1964) is an American football coach who currently is the defensive line coach for the Tennessee State Tigers. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was a twice first-team All-Pro and a twice Pro Bowl selection with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.

Clyde Simmons
Current position
TitleDefensive line coach
TeamTennessee State
ConferenceOVC
Biographical details
Born (1964-08-04) August 4, 1964
Lane, South Carolina, U.S.
Alma materWestern Carolina University
Playing career
1983–1985Western Carolina
1986–1993Philadelphia Eagles
1994–1995Arizona Cardinals
1996–1997Jacksonville Jaguars
1998Cincinnati Bengals
1999–2000Chicago Bears
Position(s)Defensive end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2010New York Jets (Coaching intern)
2012–2016St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (ADL)
2017–2018Cleveland Browns (DL)
2019Missouri Baptist (DL)
2020Western Carolina (DL)
2021–presentTennessee State (DL)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
As a player

Playing career

College

Simmons played college football at Western Carolina University helping lead the Catamounts to the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship game.[1] In 1992 he was inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame.[2]

NFL

Simmons was selected in the ninth round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles where he spent 8 seasons (1986-1993).[3] After leaving Philadelphia he went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals (1994–1995), Jacksonville Jaguars (1996–1997), Cincinnati Bengals (1998), and the Chicago Bears (1999–2000). He led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1992 and finished his career 11th all time on the NFL sack list, with 121.5. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1991 and 1992.[4] Simmons also returned an interception for a touchdown against Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills in the 1996 NFL Playoffs.[5]

Post-playing career

Simmons began his coaching career in 2008 at Greater Atlanta Christian School as the defensive line coach.[6]

In 2010, he accepted an offer from Rex Ryan as a fellowship coach with the New York Jets.[7]

Simmons was an assistant defensive line coach for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.[8] The Rams had 217 total sacks during Simmons' tenure. With the Rams, Simmons coached three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and the 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald, and defensive end Robert Quinn, who set a single-season franchise record with 19 sacks in 2013. In January 2017, he was hired by the Cleveland Browns to coach their defensive line.[9]

In 2019 he was hired as a defensive line coach at Missouri Baptist university.[10]

In May 2021 he was hired by new Tennessee State head football coach Eddie George as the Tigers' defensive line coach.[11]

References
  1. "From Western Carolina to the NFL, a look at Cats' best".
  2. "Clyde Simmons (2002) - Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame".
  3. "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. "Clyde Simmons: Out of the Shadows, into the Spotlight".
  5. "Twenty-five seasons, twenty-five games: Jaguars 30, Bills 27".
  6. "Clyde Simmons (2002) - Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame".
  7. Caldwell, Dave (September 29, 2010). "A Chance to Get Back in the Game". The New York Times.
  8. "St. Louis Rams Complete Their Coaching Staff, Sans Gregg Williams". April 10, 2012.
  9. "Report: Clyde Simmons joining Browns coaching staff". January 17, 2017.
  10. "Former NFL Star, Coach Clyde Simmons Hired as Mbu D-Line Coach". July 17, 2019.
  11. "Clyde Simmons - Defensive Line Coach - Staff Directory".
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