No 93 at UAlbany so we'll pick another random assistant coach:
Mike Simpson
D-Coordinator
Mike Simpson is in his 23rd season as defensive coordinator with the UAlbany football program. Simpson, who also works with the inside linebackers, has nearly three decades of experience as a defensive coach. The Great Danes have won or shared three Northeast Conference championships (2002, 2003 & 2007) and captured two Eastern Football Conference titles (1997, 1998) during his tenure.
The Great Danes were 17th among NCAA Division I FCS programs in points allowed (19.4 per game), 27th in total yards (334.0 ypg) and 29th in rushing defense (118.3 ypg) last season. UAlbany held NEC opponents to 12.0 points and 87.8 rushing yards en route to winning the conference title. Eight defenders made the all-conference first and second teams.
In 2006, UAlbany put together its best defensive campaign since moving to the Division I FCS level. The Great Danes ranked among the top-five nationally in three categories, including points allowed (13.0 ppg), rushing defense (90.2 ypg) and total net yards (240.8 pg). UAlbany recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1998, and held Wagner to 21 passing yards, the lowest figure by a FCS opponent. The Great Danes also established FCS records for sacks (10) and net rushing yards (minus-51) in a 16-6 victory over Robert Morris.
UAlbany was ranked among the NCAA national leaders in rushing defense (11th), scoring defense (11th) and total defense (15th) in 2005. The Great Danes have been among the top 20 in scoring against in four of the past five seasons. Linebackers Mike Grever, Josh Bazan and Colin Disch have earned Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) All-America recognition under his tutelage.
Simpson was one of 25 coaches who participated in the 2006 NCAA Expert Coaches Academy, which addressed the critical shortage of ethnic minorities in head coaching positions in the sport of college football, primarily at the Division I level. The Academy's mission is to assist coaches with career advancement, networking and exposure opportunities.
Prior to his present appointment, Simpson was an assistant defensive line coach at both Columbia University and Williams College, served as a graduate assistant at Norwich University, and had a two-year internship with the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys. He also interned with the New York Giants in the summer of 2003 and Miami Dolphins in 2002.
Simpson, 53, graduated from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University in 1978, and as a player helped lead that program to two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships and a 25-game winning streak. As a defensive end, he led the team in quarterback sacks as a senior.
An All-New York City player at Midwood High School in the mid-1970s, Simpson has a master's degree in educational administration.
