FIU Football: HC Willie Simmons Looks to Build Upon 1st Year Success

FIU head coach Willie Simmons took the stage on Tuesday morning in Arlington, Texas, coming fresh off his first full season as the head coach of the Panthers. He is now one of nine returning head coaches in a league usually known for its high turnover rate.

FIU Football: HC Willie Simmons Looks to Build Upon 1st Year Success

Simmons went 7-6 in his first full season with FIU last year. The program reached a bowl game for the first time since 2019 and had a winning record for the first time since 2018, going 4-0 in the month of November. Now in year two, the expectations have gone up in what is, year after year, a wide-open league.

“Really excited about the team we have coming back and the newcomers that we’ve been able to bring in,” Simmons said in his opening statement at the 2026 Conference USA Media Days. “Obviously, led by JJ Kohl, our quarterback. It’s a great group of young guys, a great nucleus, a phenomenal coaching staff, support staff, and really looking forward to some amazing things in the ‘305’ this season.”

When Simmons took over the program, the Panthers were coming off a third straight 4-8 season in 2024. It was with the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, and Simmons summed it up best, noting that “I took over a team that had a lot of talent.” The main issue was that there was a disconnect, which is where he’s seen the most growth through the course of his first year with the program.

“We were a disconnected team,” Simmons said. “Our main goal and priority was getting everyone connected, and I think we’ve done a good job of that.”

Going into the 2025 season, FIU ranked 102nd in returning production (45-percent). In 2026, they went up to 95th (47-percent) with 50-percent of the defense and 43-percent of the offense returning for the upcoming season.

Changes on Defense

The biggest change on defense is the new secondary and front four. Outside of Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, who Simmons said on Tuesday is currently slated as a starter, the rest of the spots at cornerback will be up for grabs. Kenton Simmons, who withdrew his name from the transfer portal, is also back. That means three of the four spots on the defensive line need to be filled via roster battles during fall camp.

Although FIU will need to determine one new starting safety following the departure of Jessiah McGrew, Shamir Sterlin decided to remain with the program for a third year. He is coming off a 2026 season where he posted 65 total tackles (42 solo/23 assisted), 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He was named an All-CUSA Honorable Mention and an All-CUSA All-Freshman Team.

“I think it starts with his physical abilities,” Simmons said. “He stayed a little bit longer in the line when God created us. He’s 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. Run like he runs and hits like he hits. That’s a blessing. So just physically, he’s imposing. He’s a very smart, cerebral player and very unselfish.”

Replacing Production from Departed Players

One of the names that departed the program was running back Kejon Owens, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings fighting for a roster spot. Simmons admitted that they relied heavily on Owens, who ran for 1,334 yards and 11 touchdowns. Part of the change now means that FIU will turn to new faces.

“I think the difference between last season and this season is maybe not having to rely on one player as much last year,” Simmons said regarding Owens’ usage last season. “We knew going into every game that we had to ride him. We were only going to be as good as he was. Now I feel like we’re a lot deeper at every position, even at running back. Maybe we don’t have a guy that can go out and hit 1,300 yards like KJ did last season to be a conference player here, but we feel like we have a deep and talented running back room that can give us the success we need. Same thing at wide receivers, tight ends and quarterback. We’re really excited about the depth that we have on our roster.”

In the running back room are returners Anthony Carrie, Devonte Lyons, Sterling Joseph and Nate Henry. Carrie, who had the second most reps behind Owens, should project as the team’s starter. If FIU won’t look to rely on just one guy, Lyons and Joseph will play a bigger role than they did in 2025. Newcomers include freshman Justin Compere and Jayden Ford, with Ford as a name who could see most of his playing time as a kick/punt returner.

FIU kicks its season off in Tampa, Florida, facing first-year head coach Brian Hartline and the USF Bulls. That will be the first of five straight games in the state of Florida.