Sims Joins Kansas Football Coaching Staff
Feb. 5, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Tom Sims, a 12-year coaching veteran and a former NFL player, has been hired as the Kansas defensive line coach it was announced by Jayhawk Head Coach Mark Mangino on Thursday.
Sims replaces Kerry Locklin, who had been hired on Jan. 20, but recently took a job with the New York Jets.
“We are glad to have Tom on our coaching staff,” Mangino said. “He brings great experience as a coach and as a former NFL defensive lineman.”
Sims spent the last four seasons as the defensive line coach at Illinois. Last season the Illini recorded 32 sacks, just two shy of leading the Big 10 Conference. In 2007, Illinois recorded a school record 40 sacks, including 28.5 by Sims’ linemen.
Under his direction four Illinois defensive linemen earned All-Big 10 honors. The Illini played in the 2008 Rose Bowl.
Prior to his arrival at Illinois, Sims coached the defensive line at Minnesota from 2001-04. In both 2003 and 2004, Minnesota held the opponents to less than 130 yards rushing per game. In 2002 the Gophers registered 31 sacks.
Sims began his coaching career working with the defensive linemen at Western Kentucky from 1997-99 before spending one season coaching the position at Eastern Michigan.
Sims played seven seasons as a defensive tackle in the NFL, including four years with the Kansas City Chiefs (1990-92, 96). Twice he recorded 12 tackles in a game.
Sims played collegiately at Western Michigan form 1985-86 before transferring to Pittsburgh where he recorded 142 tackles and 12.5 sacks in two seasons from 1988-89.
A Detroit, Mich. native, Sims earned a business degree from Pittsburgh in 1990. He and his wife Rene have two daughters, Sydney and Zoe.
Sims File
Coaching Experience
1997-1999 Western Kentucky Defensive Line
2000 Eastern Michigan Defensive Line
2001-04 Minnesota Defensive Line
2005-08 Illinois Defensive Line
Bowl Games
2002 Music City Minnesota
2003 Sun Minnesota
2004 Music City Minnesota
2008 Rose Illinois
Playing Experience
1985-86 Western Michigan
1988-89 Pittsburgh
1990-92, 96 Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
1993-94 Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
1995 Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
Education
1990 Pittsburgh Business
Personal
Wife: Rene
Children: Sydney and Zoe