Ernie Sims is making an undeniable impact on the Florida State Seminoles’ linebacker room, and it’s turning heads during fall camp. Just a first-year linebackers coach, Sims has brought a completely different energy to the unit, cultivating an identity and intensity that could vault them into one of the team’s best position groups. This is a massive shift after multiple rocky seasons under the former LB coach, John Papuchis.
The “Dadgum” Difference Maker
It’s clear Sims is channeling legendary coach Bobby Bowden, under whom he played for three years before becoming a top-10 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Sims, a Tallahassee native, peppered his recent interview with the local media, dropping Bowden’s trademark “Dadgum” four times. But it’s more than just a phrase; it’s a philosophy. Sims emphasizes building a “connection” with his players, even before diving into football. He says his entire perspective “flipped” now that he’s a coach; his number one objective every single day is to make an “impact” with each young man. Head coach Mike Norvell has already heaped praise on Sims through the first half of fall camp, saying, “When it’s your room, you see the identity of the room take shape. With Ernie, you feel that in his position. The daily approach and edge that he brings with those guys is something that I’ve really liked to see. He challenges them mentally. He challenges them physically.” Norvell concluded that Sims has done “a really nice job making that room his.” That’s high praise for a first-year guy!
A “Different Cat” Ready for the Moment
Sims’ journey has clearly built him for this role at his alma mater. After an eight-year NFL career, he spent two seasons in an operations role at FAU. Then he made the jump to coaching linebackers, first at USF in 2021, and then at UCF in 2023. He returned to FSU in 2024 as an analyst, moving up to assistant LB coach in 2025. So, when the Noles and Papuchis parted ways, defensive coordinator Tony White didn’t have to look far. White, who coached Sims for only one season, immediately saw something special. He called Sims “just a different cat” at a preseason luncheon, noting, “He’s really intense and really on them. Not saying that anybody else wasn’t. It’s just a different feel, vibe, and intensity in that room, and you can” tell the difference.
This kind of immediate impact during fall camp is exactly what FSU needs. With the regular season approaching, it’s going to be exciting to see if Sims can maintain this intensity and shape his linebacker group into the dominant force that Norvell and White are clearly seeing. If this “different cat” can keep that fire lit, the Seminoles’ defense could be something special to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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