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