Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons celebrates his team   s victory over the Bethune Cookman Wildcats at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Reports: FIU hiring Duke assistant Willie Simmons as head coach

Florida International is hiring Duke assistant coach Willie Simmons as its next head football coach, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

Simmons, 44, will replace Mike MacIntyre, who was fired Sunday after three consecutive 4-8 seasons.

Other finalists for the position, according to reports, were UCF offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr., and FIU defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt, who became interim head coach this week.

Simmons is in his first season as running backs coach at Duke, which went 9-3 in the regular season, but the native of Tallahassee, Fla., has experience as a head coach at the FCS level with a 66-24 overall record.

Simmons was head coach at Prairie View A&M from 2015-17 and at Florida A&M from 2018-23. He guided the latter to a 45-13 record. He was 21-11 (.656) at Prairie View.

Simmons also lists offensive coordinator at Alcorn State (2012-14) and Middle Tennessee State (2011) among his assistant coaching experience.

He played quarterback at Clemson in 2000-02 and at The Citadel in 2003.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; FIU Panthers head coach Mike MacIntyre during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 44-20. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre fired after going 12-24 in three seasons

Florida International dismissed head coach Mike MacIntyre on Sunday after three seasons at the helm.

MacIntyre went 12-24 with the Golden Panthers, compiling 4-8 records in all three seasons.

“I want to thank Mike for pouring three years of his heart and soul into the program and for solidifying the foundation,” FIU athletic director Scott Carr said in a news release. “Coach Mac inherited a challenging situation three years ago, but he improved numerous areas within the program — from posting our highest-ever GPA to bettering the operations and budgets — and the culture shift has been evident.

“This was a decision based solely off on-field results, and at this time I felt our program needed to go in a different direction. While we have been more competitive on the field each of the last three seasons, unfortunately our win-loss record is not indicative of those statistical improvements. Winning championships and bowl games is our goal.”

Defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt will serve as interim coach while the Panthers search for a new head man.

MacIntyre recently came under fire from former players and alums for comments he made during a press conference.

He was asked if the 2025 season was a make-or-break year, and part of his response was “this program hasn’t had a good history at all since the beginning of it.”

After the outrage, MacIntyre apologized for the comment.

MacIntyre, 59, has a 58-89 overall record in 12 seasons as a head coach. He spent three seasons with San Jose State (2010-12) and six at Colorado (2013-19).

MacIntyre has just two winning seasons on his ledger but he achieved 10 wins in each. He had a 10-2 mark at San Jose State in 2012 and went 10-4 at Colorado in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA;  Indiana Hoosiers running back Ty Son Lawton (17) runs for a touchdown against Florida International Panthers defensive back Hezekiah Masses (12) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana cruises past FIU in coach Curt Cignetti’s debut

Ty Son Lawton rushed for a pair of touchdowns as Indiana beat Florida International 31-7 in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.

It marked the Hoosiers’ first victory under first-year coach Curt Cignetti, who was debuting with his new team after spending the previous five seasons at James Madison. The Dukes went 52-9 with Cignetti at the helm.

Lawton went for 74 yards on 16 carries to complement an efficient performance from Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke. Rourke completed 15 of 24 passes for 180 yards and a TD.

Elijah Green finished with 82 yards and a TD on just five touches for Indiana, which outgained the Panthers 414-182.

Keyone Jenkins threw for 129 yards and a score on 20-of-29 passing as Florida International lost for the fourth time in four all-time meetings with the Hoosiers. Jenkins was picked off once.

Indiana put together a monster drive in the second quarter, eating 8:05 of clock by going 93 yards in 16 plays. Lawton punctuated the march with a 2-yard scamper to the end zone, giving the Hoosiers a 21-0 cushion.

FIU answered with its first sustained drive, finally getting on the board when Jenkins connected with Rocky Beers for a 7-yard TD with 48 seconds left in the first half.

A 35-yard field goal from Nicolas Radicic pushed Indiana’s lead to 24-7 with 5:55 to play in the third quarter.

The Panthers’ comeback hopes officially died when the Hoosiers stopped Florida International on fourth-and-19 with 5:26 left in the game.

Green closed the scoring by bursting up the middle for a 51-yard TD with 1:06 remaining.

Rourke opened the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Zach Horton with 9:14 left in the first quarter.

The Hoosiers went up 14-0 with 1:23 remaining in the frame, as Lawton rushed for a 13-yard score to cap a nine-play, 76-yard drive.

Indiana racked up 23 first downs to FIU’s 13.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; FIU Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins (1) looks to pass in the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

New-look Indiana aims to keep Keyone Jenkins, FIU in check

Although Indiana is set to begin a new era when it faces Florida International on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington, Ind., first-year coach Curt Cignetti just wants to take things one game at a time.

Cignetti has the daunting task of rebuilding a Hoosiers program that went 9-27 under Tom Allen over the past three seasons. James Madison saw plenty of success under Cignetti, who coached the Dukes to a 52-9 record from 2019-23.

James Madison also made its first-ever bowl appearance with Cignetti at the helm, falling 31-21 in the 2023 Armed Forces Bowl.

While Cignetti does want to put Indiana in position to generate long-term success, the only thing he cares about right now is taking care of the Panthers.

“I don’t look at it that way,” Cignetti said when asked if Saturday’s game could be a tone-setter for the Hoosiers’ future. “This is the opponent. I’m spending every second of my day with a sense of urgency trying to help put us in the best position to be as good as we can be.”

If Indiana wants to get Cignetti his first victory with the Hoosiers right out of the gate, it will have to find a way to keep dual-threat quarterback Keyone Jenkins in check.

Jenkins is coming off a strong freshman season for FIU, throwing for 2,414 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with 11 interceptions in 11 games. He also found the end zone six times on the ground.

“The offense, I’d say they’re feeding off my energy right now,” Jenkins said. “The more I go up, the more they go up, so I just try to keep the intensity level high. … We rolling right now, so that’s one thing I can say.”

Meanwhile, Indiana officially has not named a starting quarterback. The Hoosiers likely will turn to Kurtis Rourke, a transfer who had 2,207 yards and 11 TDs through the air at Ohio last season. Rourke was picked off five times in 2023, when he played in 11 games.

Indiana leads the all-time series with the Panthers, 3-0.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; FIU Golden Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins (1) throws a pass against the UConn Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Amid SEC coach firings, struggling Arkansas faces FIU

After a two-day stretch that saw two Southeastern Conference West Division coaches get fired, rumors swirled that Arkansas coach Sam Pittman would be next.

But Pittman — still standing — will lead his Razorbacks (3-7) against Florida International (4-6) in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday night in non-conference play, the first of Arkansas’ final two games of the season, both at home.

The anticipation for Saturday’s game will not match last week’s fervor against division rival Auburn after Arkansas shocked Florida 39-36 in overtime on the road the previous week.

But the Razorbacks were thrashed 48-10 by coach Hugh Freeze’s Auburn team, fueling speculation about Pittman’s future, especially considering the pattern within the division.

Texas A&M relieved Jimbo Fisher of his duties Sunday, while Mississippi State fired Zach Arnett on Monday — after Fisher’s Aggies routed Arnett’s Bulldogs 51-10 with the coaches pacing opposing sidelines.

Pittman said he isn’t looking over his shoulder despite his team’s overall record and 1-6 SEC mark.

“I can’t really sit around worried about my job security or me or anything like that,” he said Monday. “I just think it’s a much bigger issue with the media than it is with myself.”

Pittman, 61, arrived at Arkansas in 2020 and has gone 22-24 in four seasons, with bowl wins in 2021 and 2022.

Added Pittman, “I think I’m the guy for the university, and I want to stay here a long time.”

In Conference USA’s FIU, Pittman may have the opponent that will help drown out the noise before the SEC’s Missouri comes to town for the finale.

A 29 1/2-point underdog for Saturday’s game, the Panthers have lost five of their past six outings, all by double digits, with just a double-overtime 33-27 win over Sam Houston to show in the win column.

“Going to play Arkansas will be fun for the guys,” FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said. “We’ve got a lot to work on. I just wish I could see more of what I see in practice on game day.”

Despite his team being trounced 40-6 last week by Middle Tennessee, FIU freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins added nicely to his season passing total.

The left-hander has completed 146 of 247 passes for 1,908 yards and six TDs, with seven interceptions. He threw for 226 yards vs. Middle Tennessee.

–Field Level Media

Memphis defensive coordinator football coach Mike MacIntyre answers questions at a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex.

Memphis Signing Day

FIU extends contract of coach Mike MacIntyre

Florida International announced Thursday that it extended the contract of coach Mike MacIntyre through the 2027 season.

The Panthers went 4-8 in MacIntyre’s first season at the school.

“His vision, character, work ethic and humility are second to none,” FIU athletic director Scott Carr said in a news release. “It’s truly amazing what he has done to assemble a first-class staff and build a very healthy team culture. While we strive to win every game, we’re pleased with the increase in wins from previous years and how hard our young men competed the entire season. Our future is very bright under Coach Mac’s leadership.”

FIU was 4-4 this season before losing its final four games.

But the Panthers were 1-16 over the previous two seasons. They went 0-5 during the 2020 shortened season and 1-11 in 2021.

MacIntyre, the national coach of the year at Colorado in 2016, is embracing the challenge of attempting to turn around the FIU program.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead such a remarkable group of student-athletes and staff here at FIU,” MacIntyre said in the news release. “… We are energized about the future of FIU football.”

MacIntyre, 57, has a 50-73 record in 10 seasons as a head coach at San Jose State (2010-12), Colorado (2013-18) and FIU. MacIntyre has two 10-win seasons on his resume. He went 10-4 with Colorado in 2016 and went 10-2 with San Jose State in 2012.

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Luke Knox (82) and offensive lineman Reece McIntyre (56) blocking during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

FIU LB Luke Knox dies at 22

Luke Knox, a FIU linebacker and younger brother of Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox, died at 22, the school announced Thursday.

Per school officials, Luke Knox died Wednesday night. A cause of death was not announced, although the university said police do not suspect foul play.

Luke Knox, who also spent time at tight end, spent the past four seasons at Mississippi before transferring to the Panthers after the 2021 campaign.

FIU coach Mike MacIntyre, who spent the 2019 season with Luke Knox at Mississippi, confirmed the news on social media.

“Words cannot express the heartfelt sorrow we feel because of the passing of our teammate and friend, Luke Knox,” MacIntyre wrote Thursday morning on Twitter. “I had the honor of coaching Luke at Ole Miss and FIU. While I admired his passion for football, his genuine love for his family and teammates is what I will always remember. He had a special way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and confident.”

Luke Knox played in seven games last season and 23 in all with the Rebels, making 11 tackles and recovering one fumble.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said Thursday the that team will support Dawson Knox and his family during this time.

“Our hearts go out to Dawson and his family during this time,” McDermott said. “We’re right there with him and supporting him and his family and just tragic news that I woke up to this morning. So we love him, and we support him and just unfortunate news this morning.”

–Field Level Media

Memphis defensive coordinator football coach Mike MacIntyre answers questions at a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex.

Memphis Signing Day

FIU names Mike MacIntyre as head football coach

FIU named Miami native Mike MacIntyre, a two-time national coach of the year, as its head football coach on Thursday.

“Throughout this process, Coach MacIntyre rose to the top,” athletic director Scott Carr said. “He has a passion for student-athletes and building genuine relationships with them. He’s a builder, with proven success taking two struggling programs and elevating them to national relevance. … We could not be more excited to bring his energy and passion to campus.”

MacIntyre, 56, spent the past two seasons as defensive coordinator at Memphis.

MacIntyre’s father, George, played and coached at the University of Miami.

“It is exciting to have the opportunity to come back to Miami,” MacIntyre said. “Not only was I born here but the roots of my family’s love for football and mentoring young people started here with my Dad. There is so much talent and passion for football in our area. I can’t wait to get started building a strong foundation for our program. I believe that together we will create something special to rally around, inspiring Panther pride in everyone associated with FIU and our community.”

In 2010, San Jose State hired MacIntyre to turn around its program. After two tough seasons that resulted in a 6-19 cumulative record, the Spartans finished 11-2 in 2012, earning MacIntyre his first coach of the year award.

Impressed by MacIntyre’s work in San Jose, Colorado hired him in 2013 to guide a program that hadn’t had a winning record since 2005. He spent six seasons there, with his teams posting a 30-44 record. His only winning season led to his second coaching award in 2016, when the Buffaloes finished 10-4 and earned a berth in the Alamo Bowl.

He was fired near the end of the 2018 season after two sub-.500 seasons.

At FIU, he takes over for Butch Davis, whose contract wasn’t renewed despite leading the program to three bowl games in five years. Last month, he had harsh words for the school, accusing administrators of sabotaging the program in an interview with The Action Network.

The Golden Panthers were 1-11 on the season, 0-8 in Conference USA play.

–Field Level Media

FIU head coach Butch Davis walks off the field with a hurt player FIU offensive lineman Shane McGough (55) during the game against MTSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, at MTSU.

37 Mtsu V Fiu

Butch Davis won’t return as FIU coach, accuses school of sabotage

Coach Butch Davis has been informed he won’t be offered a new contract when his expires Dec. 15, despite leading the program to three bowl games in five years, The Action Network reported Monday.

And he had harsh words for the university, which hadn’t been to a bowl game since 2011 before his arrival in 2017. The program had only two winning seasons in its 13-year history before Davis took over, yet last month an ad for his job appeared on an industry website.

“This year has been a nightmare,” Davis told The Action Network. “You can imagine the players’ reaction when a head coach’s job was posted online. The administration has been sabotaging the program.

“Their decisions to post the job has resulted in a major negative impact on the football program and our ability to recruit and retain players.”

The Golden Panthers are 1-9 on the season. Per the report, 13 starters — 21 players in all — either sustained season-ending injuries or left the team.

Per the report, the university routinely posts every head and assistant coaching job on its internal website, even when an opening isn’t available. It did not address the posting on the American Football Coaches Association website.

Davis told The Action Network that coaching at FIU has been difficult beyond this season, considering:

–He could offer his assistant coaches only one-year contracts, ruling out those who were offered multiyear deals elsewhere.

–Coaches could not recruit on the road the past two years because of both COVID-19 and school finances.

–The school has limited equipment purchases. For example, when he arrived in 2017, he found out the team shoulder pads were 10 years old. Through a staff member, he learned Mississippi State was replacing its shoulder pads, and the school gave the old ones to FIU.

“They were five years old,” Davis said. “But they were new to us.”

The school uniforms also are nine years old, said Davis, who turns 70 on Wednesday.

Last week, athletic director Pete Garcia resigned to take a position as senior adviser to university president Mark Rosenberg.

Davis went to Florida International with an extensive coaching record.

He coached at Miami from 1995-2000, then at North Carolina from 2007-10. In between, he was the coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2001-04, leading them to a playoff appearance in 2002.

Overall, his college coaching record is 103-73, including a 24-30 mark at FIU.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers head coach Will Healy during the first quarter of the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Hilltoppers, 49ers try again as C-USA juggles schedule

Will the third time be the charm for Western Kentucky and Charlotte?

Conference USA announced Wednesday that the Hilltoppers and 49ers will try once again to play this season. The game, originally scheduled for Nov. 28 before being moved to and then postponed again on Tuesday, is set for a noon ET start on Sunday in Charlotte.

The announcement comes after FIU canceled its scheduled Saturday game at Charlotte due to COVID-19 issues within the Panthers’ program.

Elsewhere in the conference, Middle Tennessee’s game at UAB set for Saturday has been canceled, per a Middle Tennessee statement.

The league said matchups for the final week of the regular season — Dec. 11 and 12 — will be determined “no later” than Sunday.

“The most important aspect is the health and safety of our student-athletes and we felt it was not fair to them or our program to be able to play this game,” said MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro in a statement. “We were down to 49 scholarship players and would also have to play guys coming right off injuries. That is not a situation we want to put them in.

“It’s a disappointing day for our program and fan base, but this is an unfortunate outcome of the pandemic. Our players have done a remarkable job all year in navigating all these uncertainties.”

The schedule for Charlotte (2-3, 2-1 C-USA) has been in constant flux this season. Games against North Carolina, Georgia State, Florida International, Middle Tennessee, Gardner-Webb and Marshall were either canceled or postponed. The 49ers have not played since a 53-19 loss at Duke on Oct. 31.

Sunday’s game is the last one on the schedule for the Hilltoppers (4-6, 3-3).

FIU (0-5, 0-3) has also seen its schedule wracked by postponements and cancellations. The Panthers have lost games at UTEP and now at Charlotte, and also lost a home game against Louisiana Tech.

FIU is scheduled to host No. 21 Marshall (7-0, 4-0) on Friday, Dec. 11.

–Field Level Media