FSU football's Ernie Sims reportedly promoted to LBs coach
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Florida State football is set to promote Ernie Sims as its next linebackers coach, according to a report by 247Sports.
Sims, a former FSU linebacker and Tallahassee native, replaces John Papuchis, who left to become an assistant coach at Missouri. Sims has been on Mike Norvell’s staff since April 2024, starting as a defensive analyst before being promoted to assistant linebackers coach.
Before joining FSU, Sims coached linebackers at UCF in 2023, where he helped develop Jason Johnson into an All-Big 12 performer.
The Knights finished 6-6 in their first season in the Big 12 and ranked among the top five in the conference in passing yards allowed, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense and sacks. They played in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Sims also coached at USF from 2020-22, serving as a defensive analyst before being promoted to linebackers coach in 2021.
He was briefly elevated to defensive coordinator for the final three games of the 2022 season. At USF, he coached Antonio Grier, who earned All-AAC second-team honors.
He began his coaching career at FAU as a strength and conditioning coach in 2018 and became director of football operations in 2019.
Sims was rated the nation’s top recruit coming out of North Florida Christian. He played three seasons at FSU, helping lead the Seminoles to the inaugural ACC Championship in 2005 with a win over fifth-ranked Virginia Tech.
He was a first-team All-American in 2004 and finished his college career with 200 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
The Detroit Lions selected Sims ninth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He made the All-Rookie Team after recording 124 tackles and followed with 134 tackles in 2007.
Sims played eight seasons in the NFL with the Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, finishing with 623 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
After retiring, Sims returned to FSU to complete his bachelor’s degree in social science in 2018.
Mike Norvell’s updated FSU football staff
- Austin Tucker, quarterbacks coach
- Kam Martin, running backs coach
- Nick Williams, edge rushers coach
- Blue Adams, cornerbacks coach
- Ernie Sims, linebackers coach (promoted)
FSU football staff departures
- Tony Tokartz, Buffalo
- David Johnson, Arkansas
- Patrick Surtain
- John Papuchis, Missouri
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football promotes Ernie Sims, Tallahassee native, to LBs coach
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