Phil Simpson

Phil Simpson returned to Nebraska as the Huskers' outside linebackers coach prior to the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl. Previously, Simpson spent one season as a defensive quality control coach with the Cornhuskers in 2023.

 

In between his time at Nebraska, Simpson worked as a senior defensive analyst at Florida State in 2024. His worked helped the Seminoles rank second in the ACC in pass defense in his lone season in Tallahassee.

 

In his first season at Nebraska in 2023, Simpson worked with a Husker defense that ranked in the top 15 nationally in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. Nebraska posted its best statistical defense of the Big Ten era during Simpson's one season in Lincoln.

 

Simpson came to Nebraska after coaching high school football in Florida.

Simpson was the head coach at Homestead High School for four seasons from 2019 to 2022. In his final season, Simpson led Homestead to the 2022 Class 3M state championship game, the school’s first state title game. The Broncos went 23-4 over Simpson’s final two seasons, and he was named the Miami Herald Coach of the Year in 2021.

Simpson coached at Southridge High School for four seasons from 2015 to 2018, serving as the defensive line coach in his first year before being promoted to defensive coordinator for his final three seasons. He helped the Spartans to a state championship in 2016. Simpson also coached at Palmetto High School for one season.

Simpson was a defensive lineman at Temple from 2004 to 2007. Matt Rhule was on the Owl staff for Simpson’s final two seasons, including the 2006 season as Simpson’s defensive line coach. Simpson played in 24 games at Temple, recording 39 tackles.