FIU's Football Future Transformed with Willie Simmons
Background and Hiring Process
According to reliable sources involved in the decision, FIU has officially welcomed Willie Simmons to lead its football team. Simmons, currently the running backs coach at Duke, will take over the reins from Mike MacIntyre. MacIntyre was let go last weekend following three consecutive 4-8 seasons. Simmons, a 44-year-old native of Tallahassee, Fla., will be the seventh head coach in the program's history.
Tim Harris Jr., who was most recently the offensive coordinator at UCF, was also a finalist for the job. This shows the level of competition and interest in the FIU football coaching position.
Previous Coaching Experience
Before joining Duke in 2024, Simmons had an impressive coaching record at Florida A&M. He went 45-13 as the head coach and led the Rattlers to a SWAC championship and a berth in the Celebration Bowl in 2023, which was his final season with the program. Simmons played quarterback at Clemson for Tommy Bowden from 2000 to 2002 and at The Citadel in 2003.
FIU's football program was founded in 2002 and started playing FBS games three years later. In its history, the program has had only four winning seasons, with the last one coming in 2018 under Butch Davis. Mario Cristobal holds the record for the most wins as the coach with a 27-47 record.
Current Situation and Challenges
The FIU football program is currently facing several challenges. More than a dozen players have announced their plans to enter the transfer portal, including key players like quarterback Keyone Jenkins, standout receiver Eric Rivers, four starters on the offensive line, starting linebacker Travion Barnes, and starting safety Hezekiah Masses. This has raised concerns about the team's stability and future.
However, there are also some positive aspects. The school recently signed a deal to rename its football stadium after recording artist Pitbull, which is expected to bring in $1.2 million annually over five years. This deal is also expected to assist in providing name, image, and likeness compensation for athletes, which is an important aspect in today's college sports landscape.
Historical Highlights and Alumni
The highest point in FIU's program history was beating crosstown rival Miami in November 2019. That was the last season the Panthers played in a bowl game. But since then, they have lost 18 of their next 19 games, and Davis was fired at the end of a 1-11 season.
Despite these challenges, the program has produced 10 NFL Draft picks all-time, with the most famous being four-time Pro Bowl receiver and 2010 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year T.Y. Hilton.
ESPN's Draft Projections and Patriots' Future
Patriots' Average Draft Position
ESPN has listed the Patriots' average draft position at 2.9. This indicates that while they are favored to secure a top pick, there is still some uncertainty. With a 27.5 percent chance of getting the top selection and an 89.8 percent chance of earning a top-five pick and a 99.8% chance to earn a top-10 pick, the odds are in their favor. However, it remains to be seen how these predictions will play out on the actual draft day.Despite their current 3-10 record in the AFC East, which has them sitting in last place, the Patriots have shown some glimmers of hope. Quarterback Drake Maye and second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez have been standout performers, providing a glimmer of optimism for the team's future.
The team's potential first overall pick gives them a wide range of options when it comes to college prospects. Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter and LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell are among the potential fits. These players could potentially make a significant impact on the Patriots' roster and help them turn their fortunes around.
Win-Now Mode with Drake Maye
With Drake Maye under center, the Patriots are in win-now mode. Every draft selection becomes crucial as they cannot afford to miss on a top pick. A successful draft could provide the team with the talent they need to compete at a higher level and potentially turn their season around.The pressure is on the Patriots' front office to make the right decisions in the draft. They need to identify players who can contribute immediately and help the team achieve their goals. A home run draft selection is essential if they want to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
As the 2025 NFL draft approaches, the Patriots will be closely watched. Their selection will have a major impact on their future and could determine whether they can bounce back from their current struggles or continue to face challenges.
Unveiling the 2025 ZiPS Projections for the San Francisco Giants
Batters – Standard
The Giants' batting lineup holds a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talents. Matt Chapman, for instance, is a reliable force with his solid defensive skills and consistent offensive contributions. Patrick Bailey has emerged as a legitimate star behind the plate, showing great potential with his bat. Tyler Fitzgerald is also in the mix, with his skills adding depth to the lineup.
Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and David Villar bring different aspects to the table. Ramos is known for his offensive prowess, while Lee is looking to bounce back after injuries. Villar's performance remains a bit of a mystery, but he has the potential to make an impact.
Mike Yastrzemski, Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, and the rest of the batters form a group that is both average and capable of producing some standout moments. Their defensive contributions play a significant role in the overall team performance.
Batters – Advanced
When looking at advanced metrics, we see a more detailed picture of each batter's performance. Matt Chapman's numbers show his ability to drive in runs and contribute on both offense and defense. Patrick Bailey's advanced stats highlight his defensive value and his potential as a key player.
Tyler Fitzgerald, Heliot Ramos, and the others have their own unique profiles. Some are known for their on-base percentage, while others shine in terms of slugging percentage. Each batter's advanced stats provide valuable insights into their overall game.
The advanced metrics also help us understand how these batters compare to their peers and how they might perform in different situations.
Batters – Top Near-Age Offensive Comps
Comparing these batters to other players of similar ages gives us an idea of their potential. Matt Chapman is reminiscent of George Grantham and Corey Koskie in terms of his hitting style. Patrick Bailey draws comparisons to JD Closser and Leon Lee.
Each batter has their own set of comps that offer a glimpse into their future performance. These comparisons help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of each player and how they might fit into the team's overall strategy.
Batters – 80th/20th Percentiles
Looking at the 80th and 20th percentiles for each batter gives us a sense of their performance range. Matt Chapman stands out at the 80th percentile with his high batting average and on-base percentage. Patrick Bailey is also in a good position, while some batters are closer to the 20th percentile.
These percentiles help us understand how each batter performs relative to the rest of the league and how they might contribute to the team's overall success.
Batters – Platoon Splits
The platoon splits show how these batters perform against left-handed and right-handed pitchers. Some batters have a clear advantage against one type of pitcher, while others are more balanced.
Understanding these platoon splits is important for managing the batting lineup and maximizing the team's offensive output.
Pitchers – Standard
The Giants' pitching staff is led by Logan Webb, a reliable starter with a solid ERA. Ryan Walker and Robbie Ray also bring their own skills to the rotation. Kyle Harrison is a young pitcher with potential, while the rest of the starters have their own strengths and weaknesses.
The bullpen is also an important part of the team, with players like Camilo Doval and Erik Miller providing valuable relief innings.
Each pitcher's statistics and performance patterns give us an idea of how they might perform in different situations and against different opponents.
Pitchers – Advanced
Advanced pitching metrics provide a deeper understanding of each pitcher's performance. Logan Webb's advanced stats show his ability to strike out batters and limit walks. Ryan Walker and the other pitchers also have their own unique profiles.
These advanced metrics help us evaluate the pitchers' control, command, and overall effectiveness on the mound.
Pitchers – Top Near-Age Comps
Comparing the pitchers to other players of similar ages gives us an idea of their potential. Logan Webb is similar to Frank Lary and Marcus Stroman in terms of his pitching style. Ryan Walker draws comparisons to Raisel Iglesias and Roberto Hernandez.
These comps help us understand the pitchers' strengths and weaknesses and how they might develop in the future.
Pitchers – Splits and Percentiles
The splits and percentiles for the pitchers show how they perform against left-handed and right-handed hitters. Some pitchers are more effective against one type of hitter, while others are more balanced.
Understanding these splits is important for managing the pitching staff and making strategic decisions during games.
Overall, the 2025 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants paint a detailed picture of the team's strengths and weaknesses. While there are areas for improvement, the team has a mix of players with the potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.