Two familiar faces return to the state of Florida to coach two college football programs. Willie Simmons gets his first opportunity to lead a FBS football program in the state at Florida International. The former HBCU National Championship head coach of the Famu Rattlers, returns just a year after leaving the Rattlers for the Duke Blue Devils.
Coach Simmons spent five years in Tallahassee from 2018-2024 leading the Rattlers back to prominence. In 2023, Simmons capped his tenure off with a HBCU National Championship in the annual Celebration Bowl.
In a stunning move, Coach Simmons left FAMU to coach the running backs at Duke University under new coach Manny Diaz. To some around the fan base thought it was a step back, but ultimately it was a pay raise and an opportunity.
Duke finished 9-3, before coach Simmons was introduced as the next Head Coach of Florida International.
Scott Frost
As for Scott Frost, he returns after a fail attempt to rebuild Nebraska; his alma mater. In December of 2015, Coach Frost accepted the job at UCF after the knights finished 0-12 the year prior.
In year one, Frost lead UCF to 6 wins and a loss to the Arkansas State in the 2016 Cure Bowl. In 2017, Frost would lead UCF to their first undefeated season and a victory over #7 Auburn in Peach Bowl. Like Simmons, Frost left after leading UCF to new highs as a program.
Nebraska jumped at the chance to bring back the star quarterback of their 1997 National Championship team. The excitement would not last long as Frost posted a 16-31 record from 2018-2022. After a year off, Frost returned to the field as an analyst for the Los Angeles Rams in 2024.
The door for Frost to return UCF where he saw success only came when Guz Malzahn stepped down. Coach Malzahn accepted the offensive coordinator position at Florida State.
Frost statement on his return was ” When you’re climbing the ladder of success in life, sometimes they forget to tell you to stop when you’re happy.”
