Simmonds will enter his 25th year of coaching after being at Northern Iowa for the 2017 season as the program's offensive line coach/co-offensive coordinator. Northern Iowa led the nation (FCS) in red zone offense, converting on 92 percent of its opportunities (51 att., 31 TD, 16 FG). UNI averaged 29.4 points per game in 2017, while averaging 354.7 yards of total offense in 13 games (8-5 overall record). Simmonds spent the 2016 season at Eastern Illinois, directing the offensive line. His line ranked 36th nationally in fewest sacks allowed (2016). Simmonds also spent time at North Texas (2011-15) with current UTEP offensive coordinator Mike Canales, while the two also coached at South Florida together.
"Simmonds is a very good teacher and has great passion and love for developing lineman," Dimel said. "I know the offensive linemen at UTEP will develop and will play with great passion under Coach Simmonds tutelage."
