In the wake of Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach Craig Kuligowski’s departure from Miami to Alabama, the Hurricanes have reportedly found a replacement.

Multiple reports have stated that Atlanta Falcons assistant Jess Simpson will be Miami’s next Defensive Line Coach.

A native of Marietta, GA, Simpson played collegiately at Auburn. It was with the Tigers that he got his start in coaching, joining the staff as a grad assistant after his playing career ended.

Simpson returned to his alma mater, Marietta HS, to work as an assistant for a year before moving with his coach to Buford in 1995. It was at Buford that Simpson found his great success, first as defensive coordinator then head coach.

In his 22 years as an assistant and head coach at Buford, the team won 10 state championships. That is even more impressive when isolating Simpson’s time as Buford’s head coach. His teams compiled a record of 164-12 – a .932 winning percentage — and won 7 State Championships in 12 years. That’s elite any way you slice it.

Simpson left Buford to coach the Defensive Line at Georgia State in 2016. After that one season, Simpson left Georgia State to be a defensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons.

In hiring Simpson — if the multiple reports on this subject are proven true — Mark Richt will have brought in another person with heavy ties to the State of Georgia, and Atlanta Metropolitan area. As a legendary coach from Buford, Simpson likely has the respect of his HSFB coaching peers in the area, and around the Southeast.

Simpson has proven his ability to coach defense between the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, so his knowledge of the game is top notch. Simpson’s history of coaching at the High School level will hopefully allow him to reach back to those relationships and be an impactful recruiter for Miami.

While Simpson may not be the name that Miami fans (myself included) wanted at DL coach, he could end up being a good hire for the Canes. Simpson has coached defense, and defensive line, for years, so that should be fine. The recruiting component is what will really be the determining factor of his success at Miami.

The Canes have plenty of talent for Simpson to work with along the defensive line. DEs Jonathan Garvin and Joe Jackson are among the best in America, DT Gerald Willis III was a beast on scout team last year and a 5-star recruit in the past, and DT Nesta Silvera was one of the best at his position in the 2018. And, there’s more where that came from.

Mark Richt has built a staff of family men, people married with children and a common Religous faith. That has, to this point, been a recipe for success.

Hopefully that continues with Simposon being the latest addition to the group, according to the multiple reports.

More on this potential hire as it is available.

Go Canes