| Clyde Simmons | |
| Current Title: | Defensive line coach |
| Current Team: | Tennessee State Tigers |
| Current Conference: | Big South–OVC Football |
| Birth Date: | 4 August 1964 |
| Birth Place: | Lane, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 6 |
| Weight Lb: | 275 |
| Alma Mater: | Western Carolina University |
| Player Years1: | 1983–1985 |
| Player Team1: | Western Carolina |
| Player Years2: | 1986–1993 |
| Player Team2: | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Player Years3: | 1994–1995 |
| Player Team3: | Arizona Cardinals |
| Player Years4: | 1996–1997 |
| Player Team4: | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Player Years5: | 1998 |
| Player Team5: | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Player Years6: | 1999–2000 |
| Player Team6: | Chicago Bears |
| Player Positions: | Defensive end |
| Coach Years1: | 2010 |
| Coach Team1: | New York Jets (Coaching intern) |
| Coach Years2: | 2012–2016 |
| Coach Team2: | St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (ADL) |
| Coach Years3: | 2017–2018 |
| Coach Team3: | Cleveland Browns (DL) |
| Coach Years4: | 2019 |
| Coach Team4: | Missouri Baptist (DL) |
| Coach Years5: | 2020 |
| Coach Team5: | Western Carolina (DL) |
| Coach Years6: | 2021–present |
| Coach Team6: | Tennessee State (DL) |
| Awards: |
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Clyde Simmons Jr. (born August 4, 1964) is an American football coach who currently is the defensive line coach for the Tennessee State Tigers. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was a twice first-team All-Pro and a twice Pro Bowl selection with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named to the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.
Simmons played college football at Western Carolina University helping lead the Catamounts to the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship game.[1] In 1992 he was inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame.[2]
Simmons was selected in the ninth round of the 1986 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles where he spent 8 seasons (1986–1993).[3] After leaving Philadelphia he went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals (1994–1995), Jacksonville Jaguars (1996–1997), Cincinnati Bengals (1998), and the Chicago Bears (1999–2000). He led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1992 and finished his career 11th all time on the NFL sack list, with 121.5. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1991 and 1992.[4] Simmons also returned an interception for a touchdown against Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills in the 1996 NFL Playoffs.[5]
Simmons began his coaching career in 2008 at Greater Atlanta Christian School as the defensive line coach.[6]
In 2010, he accepted an offer from Rex Ryan as a fellowship coach with the New York Jets.[7]
Simmons was an assistant defensive line coach for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.[8] The Rams had 217 total sacks during Simmons' tenure. With the Rams, Simmons coached three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and the 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald, and defensive end Robert Quinn, who set a single-season franchise record with 19 sacks in 2013. In January 2017, he was hired by the Cleveland Browns to coach their defensive line.[9]
In 2019 he was hired as a defensive line coach at Missouri Baptist university.[10]
In May 2021 he was hired by new Tennessee State head football coach Eddie George as the Tigers' defensive line coach.[11]