On-field success is heavily influenced by a team’s offseason training.
That’s where Maurice Sims comes in.
Sims, nicknamed ‘Coach Mo,’ is Florida A&M’s new Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance and Wellness. He oversees Rattlers athletes’ fitness and wellness while strategizing to refine on-field productivity and reduce injuries.
He replaces FAMU’s former Director of Sports Performance Cole Forney, who took a job with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
“It’s a way to bridge the gap between what I do in strength and conditioning and allow me to dabble in administrative roles,” Sims told the Tallahassee Democrat about his new job. “Those are some of my future goals when it’s time to hang it up from a strength and conditioning standpoint.”
A 15-year strength and conditioning coaching veteran, Sims last worked on Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders’ staff as the Director of Sports Performance. He also worked with ‘Coach Prime’ at Jackson State, where he helped the Tigers win the Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 2021 and 2022.
Sims’ other stops include Georgia, where he was a 2021 national championship staff member, North Carolina, Army, and other college teams nationwide.
Shortly after landing the FAMU strength and conditioning job, Sims spent some of this summer as a strength coach on DeMeco Ryans’ Houston Texans coaching staff as part of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. Sims described the Texans internship as “fantastic” and “eye-opening.”
“Details and brotherhood. Every little thing matters. You can’t let anything slide or think you’re above anything,” the Knoxville, Tennessee native said of his championship-winning coaching career.
“Let’s take care of what we do have. So, [FAMU athletes] understand the ‘Rattler Up’ mentality ― don’t leave the weight room any type of way. As the adults, we have to be the living example and proof of that.”
Working at a limited-resource institution requires steadfastness.
FAMU doesn’t have the largest weight room compared to power conference teams or bigger NCAA Division I programs.
However, Sims says FAMU has some nutritional items, partnerships, and sponsorships forthcoming to assist with the deficit. He’s a regular at Home Depot, Lowes, and Facebook Marketplace for necessary equipment for the program.
Sims is also brainstorming fundraising ideas to collect direct donations to FAMU Strength and Conditioning.
“My staff and I have accepted that challenge and are trying to get things headed in the right direction here,” Sims said.
“Many resources you don’t have and different concerns ― trying to find calories and equipment. We’re making the most of what we have and are very strategic in implementing the plan. We’re trying to get this as close to a Power Four as possible and move the needle closer to how programs operate at an elite level.”
FAMU strength coach Mo Sims’ season is the offseason
Sims became interested in strength and conditioning while performing as an all-conference defensive back at Concord University before transferring to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
He was fascinated to learn about the wear and tear of the human body as he endured various injuries throughout his football career.
Sims has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Tennessee-Chattanooga and his master’s degree in Transformative Leadership from Bethune-Cookman.
Sims’ FAMU strength staff consists of Zackary ‘Thor’ Lawler and DeAundre Emeric. The trio leads workouts for various FAMU teams, such as football and the men’s and women’s basketball teams, to name a few.
“I always felt like it was very disrespectful when somebody called me a football strength coach,” Sims said. “I keep myself knowledgeable and can work with any athlete once I know the demands of the sport.”
FAMU football is weeks away from opening preseason training camp in preparation for its season-opener versus Howard in Miami Gardens’ Orange Blossom Classic on Saturday, Aug. 30.
Sims has been working closely with FAMU head football coach James Colzie III to develop players’ muscle and grit ― safely amidst the daily 90-plus degree Florida heat.
“Of course, we’re lifting weights, doing speed training, and developing our power. But most importantly, to continue reiterating Coach Colzie’s message,” Sims explained. “I always consider the strength and conditioning coach, especially at this time, the head coach. You’re stepping in his shoes and doing things like he’s running it.”
The weight room builds bonds.
As Sims administers his first summer workout season, he’s forging strong connections with Rattler athletes.
“You get to understand their why and purpose ― get into that real-life convo,” Sims said. “Sometimes you need to know what makes a guy go. Because you’ll have hard times and need to be able to fall back on that.”
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU’s new strength coach Mo Sims brings championship, Power Four pedigree to the Rattlers
Reporting by Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
