John Simon

[SpreadEagle]

First let me congratulate you Dogs on a great hire. Skip Holtz's teams at ECU were always well coached and won back to back CUSA titles. He will bring a wealth of experience to your program and I have no doubt will win big in Ruston.

Now, I have a question. Todd Monken has evidently hired a former Tech rb to be on his staff at USM. His name is John Simon. I was just wondering if some of you could pass along a little information about him. One of our boards said he is presently coaching at a HS in Dallas. Thanks and once again congrats on hiring Coach Holtz.

[StrayDawg]

John was a good RB at Tech in the late 90s, and a leader in the locker room. He played briefly in the NFL (Titans, I believe), but only for a year or two.

After leaving the NFL, I think he came back to Ruston for a while and worked with our program. I do not have any direct experience with him, but people who know him only say great things about him. I believe his last season at Tech was one of the years that Monken was coaching here, so he obviously made an impression on the coaching staff.

[Bigdog13]

Was excellent at catching the ball out of the backfield. In fact as a RB he might have had more receiving yards than rushing yards. Good guy. Don't know much about his coaching abilities.

[dawg80]

Good ole #8. John Simon is the type of player who makes a good coach. He was unselfish as a player, did what he was asked...was under-rated as well....he was a very good player! Wish him much success! Oh...not too much success helping to build USM though. Nothing personal, you understand.

[dawg80]

Can catch glimpses of him...check out around the 2:15 mark:

[Rooster]

He is from Baton Rouge...will help USM with Baton Rouge recruiting

[rebelboi]

maybe once Simon does a good job at USM then he can come back home to Ruston

[dawgtired]

Two thoughts:

1. It has to be a little worrisome to USM fans that Monken is hiring a high school assistant. I'm not sure we Tech fans would approve if he didn't have Tech ties.
2. Or, it could make more sense if there is a stud running back at his high school he's bringing with him.

[rebelboi]

Two thoughts:

1. It has to be a little worrisome to USM fans that Monken is hiring a high school assistant. I'm not sure we Tech fans would approve if he didn't have Tech ties.
2. Or, it could make more sense if there is a stud running back at his high school he's bringing with him.

I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing in a high school football coach as a RB coach or to coach any other position as long as you don't start them off as a coordinator

[deadawg]

The thing I remeber about him was that he was a very smart football player.

[SpreadEagle]

Thanks for all the replies. Simon sounds like a good future college coach. As for hiring a high school coach, I fully understand that concern. I read on our board this morning that Simon has been coaching HS football in the Dallas area. I am sure Monken would like a coach recruiting that area, since we never have. His background in Baton Rouge should help also. One thing I like about Monken is that he is aware of just how good LaTech football is and the respect he has for your program will just help build on a good, healthy rivalry. I know Skip Holtz feels the same about USM. I can't wait to start playing again.

[Dawgmatic]

John Simon. He will be great. So fun to watch play.

[ChuckK3]

I was a huge fan of John Simon. Y'all --- the Tech / USM series is going to a whole new level. I CAN'T WAIT. Perot/Monken/Simon in Black & Gold...facing ... ummm...well... Lou Holtz's kid.

Just kidding! I'm excited to get our rivalry going again, too, Spread. Thanks for ALWAYS being a great poster.

[sportkid]

I know both Monken and Simon very well and I believe both to be fantastic people. If John is half as good a coach as he is a person, then USM will have a good one. Looking forward to the rivalry and wish you luck in all but one game

[KSDAWG]

John Simon was a joy to watch and I think a great hire by Monken. He will be a lunch pale kinda guy for your program.