Clyde Simmons

Biography

Coach Simmons Hometown Lanes, S.C. College Western Carolina (1996) Coaching History 2008-09 Greater Atlanta Christian School, Defensive Line 2010 New York Jets, Defensive Intern 2012-16 St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, Assistant Defensive Line 2017-18 Cleveland Browns, Defensive Line 2019 Missouri Baptist, Defensive Line 2020 Western Carolina, Defensive Ends 2021-24 Tennessee State, Defensive Line 2025-pres. Bowling Green, Defensive Line Clyde Simmons joined Eddie George's inaugural BGSU staff in 2025 as the defensive line coach. He spent four seasons (2021-24) as the defensive line coach under George at Tennessee State. The All-Pro had a distinguished 15-year career in the NFL as a defensive end, playing for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. The 2025 season will be his 17th as a coach that has spanned the high school, college and NFL level. While at TSU he coached 2023 Buck Buchanan Award Winner Terrell Allen. The award given annually to the top defensive player in all of FCS. Allen was also named the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He also coached Eriq George, who led Tennessee State with 11.5 tackles for loss in 2024, earning second-team All-Big South-OVC honors on the defensive line. Simmons came to TSU after spending the 2020 season at Western Carolina. During his time, the Catamounts ranked 16th in turnovers gained in FCS play. Prior to WCU, Simmons spent one seaso