The Skyhawks’ football team has seen quite a bit of success over the last eight seasons, at the forefront of this success is head coach Jason Simpson.
In 2006, Simpson’s first year as head coach, he led the Skyhawks to a 9-3 record. They capped off the season by winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship and finishing 13th overall. Simpson believes that this year’s team shows several similarities to the team that won UTM’s only OVC championship to date.
“In some spots, we’re actually better,” said Simpson. “I guess the difference is, the league’s gotten better … That team probably wouldn’t win nine games [this season].”
Coach Simpson has certainly had plenty of opportunities to coach truly talented players.  Most notable among these are defensive tackle Montori Hughes, currently a member of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts; wide receiver Quentin Sims, who after a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons found himself on the New England Patriots’ practice squad. Former quarterback Derek Carr, who attended a tryout with the Giants, returned to UTM and is currently working as a graduate assistant with the Skyhawks.
Simpson believes that it’s up to the players more than the coaches when it comes to motivation.
“Everybody’s got a different thing that motivates them, and I’m proud of our coaches [that] we provided those players those opportunities,” said Simpson.
Simpson started coaching at Delta State in 1995 as a defensive backs coach. Â Prior to accepting his current position, Simpson was an offensive coordinator at UTC.
“I think that being at different levels, a Division II school and three other FCS schools [Jacksonville State, Texas State, and UTC], prepared me to understand that we don’t have SEC budgets,” said Simpson.  “We have to be frugal with our money, make good decisions … being able to manage our money, get as many players in our program as we can get.  [You have to] use your budget on things that matter, [like] winning football games and that’s something that’s prepared me for this job.”
Simpson also said that making the move to UTM from UTC was the next step in his career for a number of reasons.
“Everybody wants to be the boss,” said Simpson. “That’s just kind of the next progression. After being an offensive coordinator you get to be a head coach. Â [I’ve had] eight years’ worth of being here and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
When he’s not coaching the Skyhawks, Simpson enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and being involved at First Baptist Church on University Street, where he serves as a deacon.
