Ernie Sims - Director of Football Operations - Football Support Staff

Ernie Sims

Title:
Director of Football Operations
Email:
simse@fau.edu

At FAU
Ernie Sims joined Florida Atlantic University’s staff in March 2018 as an Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning Intern. He was elevated in August to Assistant Football Strength and Conditioning Coach and prior to 2019 spring drills moved once again to the program's Director of Football Operations.

Professional Playing Career
Sims was selected ninth overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He was the highest selected Florida State defender since 2000.

Sims started all 16 games during his rookie season with the Lions. He collected 124 tackles (81 solo), a half sack and a pass deflection. In a match against the New England Patriots, he recorded a career-high 13 total tackles. In 2007, he was named one of five teams captains for the 2007 Detroit Lions.

In his four seasons with the Lions, Sims amassed 421 combined tackles, two and a half sacks and five forced fumbles. During the 2010 season, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles where he tallied 55 combined tackles, a season-high 2 sacks, a forced fumble and forced recovery. As a free agent, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts where he recorded 61 combined tackles during the 2011 season.

In 2012, Sims signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He quickly became a starter by the second game of the season and eventually the unit’s defensive play caller. He finished the season with 42 tackles, one sack and two quarterback pressures. During the 2013 season with the Cowboys, he registered 42 tackles, a forced fumble and started six games. He retired prior to the start of the 2014 season.

Collegiate Playing Career
As a true freshman at Florida State, Sims played in all 13 games as a backup outside linebacker. He finished ninth on the team with 42 tackles, two pass break-ups, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He earned ACC Rookie of the Week for his efforts against Wake Forest, which included a season-high 10 tackles.

Sims played all 12 games during his sophomore year, making the starting lineup by the second week. He was named second-team All-ACC. ESPN named him to their first team All-American team. Finished second on the team with a career-high 86 tackles, including a game-high 12 tackles against Florida. That year is was the only player in the ACC to earn the ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors multiple times during the season. The Sporting News and other publications named him to their pre-season All-American teams. He started all 13 games his junior season before entering the NFL draft.

Personal
Born: December 23, 1984
B.S., Florida State ‘18
Sims is the founder of the Ernie Sims Big HITS Foundation Inc.