GT Football: 2024 Spring Practice, Day 9 - DL Coach Jess Simpson
TLDRCoach Jess Simpson discusses his decision to join Georgia Tech's staff, highlighting the institution's special place and rich football tradition. He shares his excitement about the team's potential, the importance of player development, and the value of recruiting players who fit the program's needs. Simpson also touches on the versatility of players and the strategic approach to using them in various positions.
Takeaways
- 🏈 Coach Jess Simpson is part of Georgia Tech's revamped defensive staff, hired by Coach Key.
- 🤝 Simpson decided to join Georgia Tech due to the institution's rich tradition and the opportunities it provides.
- 🏠 Personal reasons also influenced Simpson's decision, as he was born and raised in Georgia and has family nearby.
- 👨👦 Simpson values the opportunity to coach and invest in young men who are eager to learn and grow both on and off the field.
- 💪 Simpson has been impressed by the players' hunger to improve and their commitment to building relationships within the team.
- 🏆 The coaching staff, including Simpson, is focused on helping players understand their roles and the overall defensive strategy.
- 🤝 Simpson emphasizes the importance of trust and consistency in building relationships with his players.
- 🎯 Recruiting is about finding the right fit for both the player and the coaching staff, and Simpson leverages his experience as a high school coach in this process.
- 🔄 Position flexibility is valued, with players like Scott able to contribute both inside and outside, depending on the team's needs.
- 📈 Simpson believes in cross-training his players to enhance their understanding of different positions and improve overall team performance.
- 🔥 The transfer from Florida State, AO, is raw but talented, and Simpson is excited about his potential contribution to the defense.
Q & A
What motivated Coach Simpson to join Georgia Tech's staff?
-Coach Simpson was drawn to Georgia Tech because of the institution's rich tradition and the opportunities it provides. He also appreciated Coach Key's vision and the energy surrounding the football program. Additionally, the chance to return home to Georgia and be close to his family was a significant factor in his decision.
How does Coach Simpson describe his experience coaching at Georgia Tech so far?
-Coach Simpson considers himself one of the luckiest people in the world, as he loves teaching, coaching, and investing in young men. He has been impressed by the players' eagerness to learn, grow, and build relationships, which has made his experience very enjoyable and fulfilling.
Who are some key players that Coach Simpson has mentioned in the defensive line group?
-Coach Simpson highlighted Zeke Biggers, who has a couple of years of experience, and Horus, who had his first full year recently. He also mentioned Maas as part of the younger group but noted that all three players are committed to growing and improving every day.
What is Coach Simpson's approach to recruiting?
-Coach Simpson believes in finding a fit for everyone involved. He emphasizes understanding the players' needs, showcasing what Georgia Tech has to offer, and ensuring that the university and coaching staff are a good match for the recruits. His background as a high school coach also helps him build trust and find players that fit the program.
How does Coach Simpson plan to utilize Scott, who has played both inside and outside positions?
-While Coach Simpson values position flexibility, he currently sees Scott's greatest value as an interior player. However, he acknowledges that Scott's role could change and that he has performed well during the spring practices, showing adaptability and skill.
What is the strategy for using D tackles in the defense?
-Coach Simpson believes in cross-training the D tackles, ensuring they understand various positions and roles. This approach fosters a cohesive unit, enhances overall football knowledge, and allows players to anticipate and prepare for different scenarios during games.
Can you discuss the new transfer from Florida State and his integration into the defense?
-The new transfer from Florida State is described as raw but talented, with impressive physical attributes. The focus is on teaching him the ropes, helping him become consistent in his techniques and roles within the defense, and leveraging his natural abilities.
How does Coach Simpson foster a sense of unity and understanding among the defensive line?
-By cross-training players in different positions, Coach Simpson encourages a sense of togetherness and a comprehensive understanding of each role within the defensive line. This strategy helps players to anticipate each other's moves and work cohesively as a unit.
What are Coach Simpson's thoughts on the importance of player development during the spring and summer?
-Coach Simpson views the spring and summer as crucial times for player development. He emphasizes learning and adapting to various roles, enhancing football knowledge, and preparing for the challenges of the fall camp. This period is seen as an opportunity for players to refine their skills and understand the bigger picture of the game.
How does Coach Simpson define a successful coaching relationship with his players?
-For Coach Simpson, a successful coaching relationship is built on trust, consistency, and mutual growth. He aims to understand his players not just as athletes but also as students and individuals. His goal is to help them develop holistically, both on and off the field.
What is the significance of the tradition at Georgia Tech for Coach Simpson?
-The rich tradition at Georgia Tech holds significant importance for Coach Simpson. He appreciates the institution's history and how it has shaped the football program. The tradition represents a legacy of success and provides a strong foundation for the players and coaches to build upon.
Outlines
🏈 Coach Simpson's Reasons for Joining Georgia Tech
Coach Simpson was drawn to Georgia Tech for several personal and professional reasons. Professionally, the school's rich football tradition and the vision of Coach Key, a Georgia Tech alumnus, were significant factors. Personally, Georgia Tech's proximity to his family, including his children and a new grandchild, played a crucial role in his decision. He expressed enthusiasm about the football program's direction and his role in shaping young players not just in skills, but also in character.
🌟 Developing Talent and Emphasizing Flexibility in Defense
Coach Simpson discusses his coaching approach, focusing on the development and flexibility of his defensive players. He mentions specific players like Zeke Biggers and Scott, highlighting their growth and adaptability in various positions. Additionally, he talks about his recruitment strategy, emphasizing trust and fit between the player and the program. The use of players in multiple positions is part of his broader strategy to enhance their understanding of the game, contributing to a cohesive team dynamic.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Georgia Tech
💡Coach Key
💡Defensive Staff
💡Family
💡Recruiting
💡Trust
💡Zeke Biggers
💡Position Flex
💡D-line
💡AO
💡Process
Highlights
Coach Jess Simpson was one of the first hires made by Coach Key in revamping the defensive staff at Georgia Tech.
Simpson was drawn to Georgia Tech due to its special place in history, the opportunities it offers, and its rich football tradition.
The excitement and energy created by Coach Key was a significant factor for Simpson in joining the Georgia Tech staff.
Simpson values the opportunity to work at his home state, being close to his family, and contributing to his community.
Simpson expresses his love for teaching and coaching, and his excitement for the eagerness of the players to learn and grow.
The players' response to Simpson's leadership and the development of relationships within the team has been very positive.
Zeke Biggers, Horus, and Maas are highlighted as key players who are eager to grow and improve every day.
Simpson emphasizes the importance of players having a vision for their future and buying into the process of constant improvement.
Recruiting for Simpson is about finding the right fit for both the player and the team, leveraging his extensive high school coaching network in Georgia.
Simpson's pitch to recruits focuses on the trust, development, and opportunities available at Georgia Tech.
Scott, a versatile player, has been used both inside and outside, showing his value to the team in various positions.
The defensive line is trained to understand and play multiple positions, fostering a collective understanding and unity.
Simpson believes in the importance of players knowing their roles and the overall strategy, which enables them to make plays effectively.
The transfer from Florida State, AO, is described as raw but talented, with the potential to make a significant impact once he refines his skills.
Simpson's approach to coaching involves building strong relationships based on trust, consistency, and mutual development.
The overall atmosphere and direction of the Georgia Tech football program are very positive, with a focus on growth and improvement.