Let’s meet the veteran DL coach.
Defensive line coach Jess Simpson was the first new hire on Brent Key’s new defensive coaching staff, being hired at the end of December. With more than 30 years of experience across the high school, college, and professional levels, Simpson has the makings of a phenomenal hire.
Coaching Experience
- 1992-93 | Auburn (Student Assistant)
- 1994 | Marietta HS (Assistant Coach)
- 1995-96 | Buford HS (Offensive Coordinator)
- 1997 | East Paulding HS (Head Coach)
- 1998 | Buford HS (Offensive Coordinator/Strength and Speed Coordinator)
- 1999-2004 | Buford HS (Defensive Coordinator/Strength and Speed Coordinator)
- 2005-16 | Buford HS (Head Coach)
- 2017 | Atlanta Falcons (Defensive Assistant)
- 2018 | Miami (Fla.) (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach)
- 2019-20 | Atlanta Falcons (Defensive Line Coach)
- 2021 | Miami (Fla.) (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach)
- 2022 | Duke (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach)
- 2023 | Duke (Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach)
More than anything, Jess Simpson is a Georgia high school coaching legend. His time at Buford saw the team compile a winning percentage over 93%, seven state titles, and appearances in 10 straight title games. Simpson’s name carries a weight in Georgia high school coaching circles, and that will have a great impact on recruiting.
But how is Simpson as a DL coach?
His time with the Atlanta Falcons saw the emergence of Grady Jarrett at defensive tackle. In Simpson’s three years on staff, Jarrett finished with 15.5 sacks, 35 TFL, and 50 QB hits. Jarrett also went to back-to-back Pro Bowls.
Other notable players who have learned under Simpson’s tutelage include Gerald Willis III (All-America DT in 2018 with Miami), Aeneas Peebles (All-ACC DT with Duke), and DeWayne Carter (All-America DT with Duke).
Simpson’s history with defensive tackles is incredibly encouraging for a position group that hasn’t shown much notoriety in the last several years.
Here are a couple of other noteworthy stats from Simpson’s bio on Georgia Tech’s website:
Working alongside current Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci in 2023, Simpson’s defensive front played a big role in Duke fielding the ACC’s top-ranked scoring defense (19.0 points per game), which was good for 16th nationally. The Blue Devils also ranked among the nation’s top 50 in rushing defense, passing defense, total defense, tackles for loss, third-down defense, fourth-down defense and red-zone defense in ’23.
In 2022, the Blue Devils’ defensive front helped Duke rank first nationally in fumble recoveries (16), second in turnover margin (+1.23/game), ninth in takeaways (26) and 23rd in sacks (2.8/game), while also allowing just 121.1 rushing yards per game, good for fourth in the ACC.
Simpson is nothing short of a phenomenal hire, and I’m excited to see how Georgia Tech’s defensive front develops under his tutelage.