TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Willie Simmons got a warm welcome from the FAMU community Tuesday.
Simmons spoke for the first time as the Rattlers' new head football coach.
Dozens of people from Willie's past showed up Tuesday to welcome the local guy back home. Simmons is a product of Quincy Shanks but in the 19 years he's been away he still hasn't forgotten his roots.
Former coaches,teammates, and even his grandmother was in attendance and while he says the decision to leave Prairie View A&M wasn't an easy one, Simmons is happy to be home. And his family? Even happier.
Simmons grew up going to Florida A&M games and says it's surreal to now be at the helm of the Rattler program.
Being head coach comes the responsibility of getting a staff together. Simmons says he's gotten a ton of interest and he's going to take his time in making sure a good staff is put together.
His contract is for five years, with $300,000 in pay annually, a price interim athletic director John Eason says is market value.
