TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Florida A&M football team got five days of spring practice in before the coronavirus swept in and forced the Rattlers away from campus and away from football.
Head coach Willie Simmons said he was happy with those five days when we had the chance to catch up with him late last week.
Simmons said the Rattlers may be away from campus, but he's still working hard. He meets with his staff and players daily, be it through video conferencing, social media, or an old fashioned phone call.
"We're in the process now of really meeting with them as far as X's and O's, and going through some plays," said Simmons. "There are things that can be done. We're trying to do the best job we can to be innovative and be creative, thought provoking and find ways to make the most of this; so when we do resume normal activity we're not behind the curve, we're ahead of the eight ball."
One thing all coaches have said since quarantine started was that they are enjoying the family time they're getting.
This couldn't be more true for Coach Simmons and his family.
They just welcomed in a baby girl in March, and helping with her, and helping home school his other kids has been priceless.
"A normal Friday afternoon, she'd be at school, I'd be at the office and I wouldn't be smelling Dorito's all up in my breath," Simmons said. "Being able to spend quality time with them and see them develop and grow, and get to watch her read, and add and subtract, and watch the little one count and tear up everything in the house. It's a time that, as coaches, it's invaluable. These are normally things we'll never get back."
Simmons said in the little other free time he has, he's been catching up on some shows. He's currently watching Ozark, and, no, he hasn't had a chance to catch Tiger King just yet.
