Jess Simpson to join Falcons' coaching staff

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Former high school coaching legend Jess Simpson is set to leave Georgia State, after a few months on the job, and join the Falcons as their assistant defensive line coach, the team confirmed on Monday.

The terms of the deal are being finalized.

Simpson, who was named Georgia State's defensive line coach in December, was the former Buford High School head coach.

"I'm ecstatic about Jess," said Buford athletic director Dexter Wood. "That's a remarkable story, it really is."

Simpson spent over 20 years at Buford as an assistant and head coach. He was part of 10 of the school's state championships, seven as a head coach and three as an assistant.

Wood has known Simpson since he was 16 and played for him at Marietta High.

"I couldn't be more proud of him," Wood said.

Simpson's record at Buford was 164-12.

He will assist defensive line coach Bryant Young, who was hired to replace Bryan Cox.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn developed a relationship with Simpson when he was the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2011-2012. Two of Simpson’s former players, Omar Hunter and T.J. Pridemore, played for the Gators during Quinn’s tenure, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

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