DAYTONA BEACH — Bethune-Cookman University introduced Terry Sims as its new head football coach five years and one day after naming Brian Jenkins, whom Sims replaced, to the same position.
Sims served on Jenkins’ staff as assistant head coach, safeties coach and special teams coach for the past five seasons. Perhaps more importantly, Sims was regarded as the stabilizing agent in the BCU program over that same timeframe.
Director of Athletics Lynn Thompson stated “as we began our process of where do we go from here, we had to take stock in several things. We had to make sure we turned over every stone. We are not looking to become champions. We are champions.” (With that thought in mind,) “we saw best to stay in house. We looked to the rock of the program over the last four or five years, and it is my pleasure to introduce to you the new head football coach at Bethune-Cookman University, Mr. Terry Sims.”
“I’m bubbling right now” Sims stated. “It’s a great Christmas gift and I can’t wait to get going.”
The new head coach mentioned many aspects of the program would remain the same. “Coach Jenkins (and I) sat in that building with a bunch of men in 2010 and laid a plan, we worked the plan, and the plan has been successful. Why change?”
However, Sims did state, “I will be different from Coach Jenkins (in some aspects). I’m a people person so we will be different in that sense.” Sims also went on to state the offense would speed up and be more wide open under his reign.
One difference for sure between Sims and Jenkins will be the level of external expectations from Day One. Over the past five years, the Wildcats:
- have become a perennial Top 25 FCS program,
- have won at least a share of 4 MEAC titles, and
- have made three FCS playoff appearances.
BCU fans expect Sims to win immediately and to build on the success of the past five seasons. Sims took his first major step in ensuring the Wildcats’ continue their winning ways by keeping the majority of the coaching staff intact. Sims confirmed Yogi Jones (defensive coordinator), Jim Pry (offensive coordinator), Terry Williams (defensive backs), Lawal McCray (assistant head coach and tight ends), Earl Lane (defensive line), John Powers (offensive line) DJ McCarthy (player personnel), and Carl Franks (running backs) will all return to the BCU sidelines next season.
Coach Sims is a native of Jesup, Georgia and is the 17th head coach in program history. He played collegiately for Knoxville College. Previous coaching stops include:
| 1994 | Linebackers (Student Assistant), Knoxville |
| 1995-96 | Defensive Backs (Graduate Assistant), Louisville |
| 1997-99 | Running Backs/Recruiting Coord., Austin Peay |
| 2000 | Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coord., Texas Southern |
| 2001-03 | Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Backs, Texas Southern |
| 2004 | Defensive Backs/Special Teams, Prairie View A&M |
| 2005-06 | Cornerbacks, UL-Lafayette |
| 2006-09 | DBs/Special Teams/Recruiting Coord., Howard |
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