Al Simmons, a veteran of 33 years in coaching on the collegiate and NFL levels, is in his second year as UNLV’s safeties coach.
Before joining UNLV in 2018, Simmons spent three seasons as the cornerbacks coach at MW-member New Mexico after previously serving as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Colorado State.
Simmons has coached at three Pac-12 Conference schools during his distinguished career, spending two stints coaching defensive backs at Cal (2008-10 and 1998-2000), two seasons at Arizona State (2006-07) and two at Oregon State (2001-02). Other stops included UTEP, San Jose State, Idaho State and Montana State.
For all or parts of six seasons, Simmons has coached at the NFL level, including two years (2003-04) as a full-time assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers. Simmons also assisted NFL staffs during training camp on four occasions, with the Los Angeles Raiders (1993), Arizona Cardinals (1996), San Diego Chargers (1999) and Dallas Cowboys (2000).
An all-conference linebacker at Laney College and an all-league safety at Cal State Hayward, Simmons began his coaching career at Cal State Hayward in 1986. A native of Oakland, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business from the school in 1987 and his master’s in 1991.
SIMMONS’ COACHING EXPERIENCE
2018 - UNLV - Safeties
2015-17 - New Mexico - Cornerbacks
2012-14 - Colorado State - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
2011 - UTEP - Safeties
2008-10 - California - Defensive Backs
2007 - Arizona State - Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks
2006 - Arizona State - Cornerbacks
2005 - San Jose State - Cornerbacks
2004 - San Francisco 49ers - Defensive Backs
2003 - San Francisco 49ers - Cornerbacks
2001-02 - Oregon State - Defensive Backs
2000 - Dallas Cowboys - Secondary Asst.-Summer
1999 - San Diego Chargers - Linebackers Asst.-Summer
1998-2000 - California - Cornerbacks
1997 - Idaho State - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
1996 - Arizona Cardinals - Secondary Asst.- Summer
1995-96 - Montana State - Defensive Backs
1994 - San Francisco State - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
1993 - Los Angeles Raiders - Secondary Asst.-Summer
1988-93 - Cal State Hayward - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
1986-87 - Cal State Hayward - Defensive Backs
