Phil Simpson spent one season as a defensive quality control coach with the Cornhuskers in 2023. 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.