New FIU head coach Willie Simmons has set his initial on-field coaching staff, sources told FootballScoop on Friday.
The staff set thus far breaks down as follows:
-- Nick Coleman, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
-- Frank Ponce, associate head coach/tight ends
-- Benedick Hyppolite, running backs
-- Jelani Berassa, wide receivers
-- Edwin Pata, offensive line
-- Jovan Dewitt, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/outside linebackers
-- Kenechi Udeze, defensive line
-- Ryan Smith, linebackers
-- Anthony Gaitor, cornerbacks
-- Kenneth Gilstrap, special teams coordinator/safeties
Simmons took the FIU job after one season as Duke's head coach and nine seasons as a head coach at the FCS level. He went a combined 66-24 from 2015-23 at Prairie View A&M and Florida A&M, going 12-1 with a SWAC championship and a Celebration Bowl victory in 2023.
FIU has not found sustained success since starting the program in 2002. None of the Panthers' five full-time coaches have left the school with a winning percentage above .429, including an 8-16 mark compiled by Mike MacIntyre from 2022-24.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.