Tag: Florida International

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

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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

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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

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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; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) passes in the first half against the FIU Panthers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

KJ Jefferson sets Arkansas TD mark in blowout over Florida International

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Record-setting Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson fired three touchdowns Saturday night as the Razorbacks topped Florida International 44-20 in Fayetteville, Ark.

A three-year full-time starter, Jefferson went 15-for-28 for 187 yards and rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries as the Razorbacks (4-7) won for the second time in their past three outings.

The Sardis, Miss., senior broke Brandon Allen’s record of 64 TD passes and Tyler Wilson’s passing yardage mark of 7,765 yards.

Isaiah Augustave rushed 14 times for a game-high 101 yards. Kicker Cam Little made 3 of 5 field goals.

The Razorbacks outgained FIU 510-341 in total yardage.

The Panthers (4-7) got a strong game from quarterback Keyone Jenkins, who was 21 of 36 for 265 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

Wideout Kris Mitchell had 157 yards and a TD on six receptions.

After Arkansas forced a turnover on downs on the opening series, Jefferson tossed a 10-yard strike to Jaedon Wilson at 12:22 for a 7-0 lead.

With the first of his three scores, Jefferson became the school’s all-time leader in TD passes with 65.

However, FIU answered immediately when Jenkins connected on an 80-yard pass to Mitchell and ran in on a keeper from a yard out on the next play.

Jenkins was at it again to close the first quarter, completing a 12-yard pass to Dean Patterson. A missed extra-point attempt left the visitors ahead 13-7.

In the second quarter, Jefferson padded his TD record by finding Tyrone Broden on a 4-yard score at 11:58 for a 14-13 lead.

In the game’s most bizarre play, Arkansas defensive back Alfahiym Walcott reached around wideout Patterson during a catch, stripped the ball from him as the receiver was going to the turf and sprinted 28 yards for a touchdown. He added a second interception later.

With 4:45 remaining in the half, Little drilled a 31-yard field goal. The Razorbacks made it 24 unanswered points when Dominique Johnson ran 31 yards at 1:08 for a 31-13 lead.

In the second half, Mitchell leaped for a 12-yard score from Jenkins to stop the Arkansas scoring run nearly five minutes into the third quarter, but Jefferson found Isaiah Sategna from 32 yards later in the frame.

After missing two tries, Little booted successful kicks from 39 and 41 yards to cap the scoring.

–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

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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

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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

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

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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

Sep 18, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough (12) throws a pass against the Florida International Panthers in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Shough leads Texas Tech in blowout win over Florida International

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Might be safe to deduce that the Texas Tech offense is starting to find a comfort zone at just the right time.

In the final game before the Red Raiders embark on the Big 12 Conference season, quarterback Tyler Shough delivered the best game of his debut season with 399 passing yards and four touchdown passes to spark a lopsided 54-21 victory against Florida International in Lubbock.

Texas Tech piled up a season-best 582 total yards, with Shough dissecting the Panthers in the second and third quarters when his team scored 37 points to turn a close game into a blowout.

The Red Raiders (3-0) shook loose from a tight game after the first quarter with four touchdowns in the second period and racked up 264 yards along the way.

The Panthers (1-2) blended inside power runs by D’vonte Price and deep throws by Max Bortenschlager to piece together an 88-yard drive and went up 7-0 when Price bulled in from 3 yards out.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s offense scuffled. The Red Raiders’ first two possessions ended in punts, and when they forced FIU into a three-and-out, returner Adrian Frye muffed the ball to give it right back to the Panthers.

The game changed on the next snap, though, when Texas Tech defensive back Marquis Waters picked off a Bortenschlager pass, found daylight on the sideline and dashed 72 yards for a touchdown return.

FIU drove into field-goal range on the ensuing possession, but Chase Gabriel’s kick was wide left and the Panthers never recovered, thanks in large part to Texas Tech’s offense coming to life.

With a reprieve and the score still tied 7-7, the Red Raider offense kicked into gear with four consecutive touchdown drives in the second period covering 80, 75, 68 and 61 yards. Shough completed 12-of-13 passes in that span for 217 yards and touchdowns to Travis Koontz twice and Trey Cleveland. Tahj Brooks rushed for the other score.

Texas Tech continue to move the ball after halftime, sandwiching a field goal and touchdown around FIU’s third TD. Backup quarterback Henry Colombi took over and engineered the final scoring drive, which he finished with a 19-yard scamper.

— Field Level Media

Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Eric Monroe (11) celebrates with linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle (2) after making an interception against the Houston Cougars during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Tech not taking FIU for granted

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Wins are meant to be celebrated, but there are times when the means to that end can subdue the joy.

That was the mood hovering over Texas Tech this week as it prepared for its final nonconference test against visiting Florida International on Saturday night in Lubbock.

A closer-than-expected 28-22 victory against Stephen F. Austin last week left a bad aftertaste that the Red Raiders (2-0) can’t afford to dwell on against the Panthers (1-1).

“They have our attention,” Texas Tech coach Matt Wells said. “They’re a good team. They beat Miami two years ago. They’re very athletic and very well-coached.

“Our attention is probably heightened with the disappointment in the way we played on offense and special teams last week.”

What Wells and the Red Raiders can lean on moving forward is a defense that has been effective against the run, surrendering just 54.5 yards per game.

What helped Texas Tech’s first two opponents stay close were successful gambles on fourth down. Houston was 5-for-5 in those spots and SFA was 5-for-8.

“Play better on third-and-long,” Wells said. “We were outstanding on third down (last week), but part of the issue was allowing third-and-longs to become fourth-and-shorts in a go situation for SFA.”

Added linebacker Collin Schooler, “If we win third down more, or limit the damage on third down — instead of third-and-8 giving up 7 (yards) where they say, ‘Oh, we can go for it; it’s fourth-and-1’ — put them in a fourth-and-5 situation, then maybe the punt-return team is on the field instead of us again.”

How Texas Tech stacks up against the best rushing attack it has faced so far could emerge as a major factor.

FIU’s powerfully built D’vonte Price has bulled his way to four consecutive games of 100 rushing yards or more after generating 111 yards on 23 carries last week in a 23-17 overtime loss to Texas State.

“He’s a big back (and) runs hard,” Wells said. “He runs behind his pads, and he’s got a big O-line in front of him. The two tackles are big and very athletic. I think the interior three guys are nasty. They look strong on tape.”

Quarterback Max Bortenschlager has produced games of 266 and 259 passing yards to give FIU balance.

Moving the ball against Texas State wasn’t an issue for the Panthers, as they churned out 400 yards. But three lost fumbles blunted any chance for offensive continuity.

“Turning the ball over that often, getting the ball in the red zone and turning it over, not scoring, getting explosive plays and having them called back because of penalties — those things are disastrous, and it doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” FIU coach Butch Davis said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2019; Montgomery, Alabama, USA; Fiu Golden Panthers place kicker Jose Borregales (30) reacts after missing a field goal late in the 4th quarter against Arkansas State Red Wolves at Cramton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Shorthanded FIU forced to cancel game with La. Tech

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Saturday’s game between Florida International University and Louisiana Tech has been canceled due to a shorthanded position group impacted by COVID-19 on the Panthers team.

“Due to FIU football’s lack of available healthy players at a key position, the Nov. 28 game against Louisiana Tech has been canceled,” was the extent of the statement released by FIU on Monday.

The Conference USA game will not be rescheduled. FIU is 0-3 in the East division; the Bulldogs are 3-2 in the West.

It’s the fourth straight week that La. Tech has had a game postponed or canceled outright, due to the pandemic. The Bulldogs haven’t played since Oct. 31.

“This is a disappointing announcement for our program and our fan base, but we understand that FIU is protecting their student-athletes,” La. Tech athletic director Eric Wood said in a statement. “We were really hoping to get back on the football field this coming weekend and allow our student-athletes to compete and represent their university. However, these things are out of our control with testing and contract tracing.”

La. Tech is scheduled to play North Texas in a makeup game on Dec. 3. That game was postponed from Nov. 7 due to COVID complications in the Mean Green program.

The cancellation marks the sixth postponement or cancellation for FIU. The Panthers are scheduled to play at Charlotte on Dec. 5.

–Field Level Media