Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Willie Simmons across Football, Baseball.
As Florida International University prepares to honor 25 seasons of football, the story of standout athletes like T.Y. Hilton and Jonnu Smith illustrates how the program has combined on‑field brilliance with a growing national footprint.
From Jake Gaither’s historic dynasty to Willie Simmons’s recent Celebration Bowl triumph, Florida A&M’s football program boasts a lineage of coaching excellence that spans decades.
On Oct. 31, 2002, Rashod Smith exploded for 262 rushing yards against Jacksonville, a performance that set a program record, ignited a 39‑6 victory and remains a cornerstone of FIU’s football narrative as the team prepares to mark its 25th season.
The university unveiled a special logo to honor 25 seasons of Panthers football, tracing the program’s origins from a 1990s fan push through its first head coach, Don Strock, and highlighting achievements such as bowl appearances, Shula Bowl wins, and NFL alumni like T.Y. Hilton.
The new logo, launched on fiusports.com, highlights six bowl appearances, legendary alumni and the program’s evolution over 25 years.
Pedro Grifol, a Florida State alumnus and former Chicago White Sox manager, has been appointed head baseball coach at Florida International University, continuing a lineage of former FSU players who now guide college programs.
From a bold move to Purdue’s quality‑control staff to a celebrated stint at Florida A&M and a homecoming to the Cardinals, Brandon Sharp’s career illustrates how calculated risk, family ties and relentless energy can reshape a coaching trajectory.
The Florida International University Panthers have released their 2026 football schedule, highlighting a heavy home presence, a stretch of four consecutive nationally televised games, and the program's first bowl appearance since 2019 under head coach Willie Simmons.
Clemson is set to replace Cade Klubnik in 2026, and a review of past quarterback changes reveals both opportunities and pitfalls for the Tigers' title aspirations.
The upcoming 2026 Football Kickoff and Media Days will bring Conference USA teams, including FIU, to Arlington, Texas, with a live ESPN+ show and press conferences featuring head coach Willie Simmons, quarterback JJ Kohl and defensive back Shamir Sterlin.
Level Two sanctions will bar Florida A&M from postseason play in 2026 and spring practice in 2027, prompting a renewed focus on academic excellence under new leadership.