Mike Simpson, who enters his 28th season on UAlbany’s football staff, has three decades of experience as a defensive coach. With two of those decades at the defensive coordinator position, the Great Danes have won or shared six Northeast Conference championships (2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012) and captured two Eastern Football Conference titles (1997, 1998) during his tenure.
Handing over coordinator responsibilities to Drew Christ in 2013, Simpson will focus on the development of the squad’s young linebackers.
Under his direction in 2012, UAlbany’s rushing defense ranked first in the NEC and 14th in the nation (117.91 yrds/game), second in the league in scoring defense (22.73 pts/game), and third in total defense (340.45 yrds/game). With the graduation of four exceptional linebackers, including Detroit Lion free agent Jon Morgan, the Great Danes look to quickly rebuild that area on the field.
In 2011, Simpson had five of his defensive players earn all-conference honors, including first-team selections Eddie Delaney and Jon Morgan. Defensively, UAlbany ranked among the NEC leaders in rushing yards allowed for the fourth straight year, plus was second in scoring defense.
In 2008, the Great Danes led the conference in rushing yards (119.1 ypg) and scoring defense (18.2 ppg). UAlbany capped its second consecutive conference championship season with a 28-0 shutout of Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic. Defensive tackle Tom Pandolf earned honorable mention All-America recognition.
The Great Danes were 17th among NCAA Division I FCS programs in points allowed, 27th in total yards and 29th in rushing defense during the 2007 campaign. UAlbany held NEC opponents to 12.0 points and 87.8 rushing yards en route to winning the conference title. Eight defenders made the all-conference first and second teams.
In 2006, UAlbany put together its best defensive campaign since moving to the Division I FCS level. The Great Danes ranked among the top-five nationally in three categories, including points allowed (13.0 ppg), rushing defense (90.2 ypg) and total net yards (240.8 pg). UAlbany recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1998, and held Wagner to 21 passing yards, the lowest figure by a FCS opponent. The Great Danes also established FCS records for sacks (10) and net rushing yards (minus-51) in a 16-6 victory over Robert Morris.
UAlbany was ranked among the NCAA national leaders in rushing defense (11th), scoring defense (11th) and total defense (15th) in 2005. Linebackers Mike Grever, Josh Bazan and Colin Disch have earned Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) All-America recognition under his tutelage.
Simpson was one of 25 coaches who participated in the 2006 NCAA Expert Coaches Academy, which addressed the critical shortage of ethnic minorities in head coaching positions in the sport of college football, primarily at the Division I level. The Academy's mission is to assist coaches with career advancement, networking and exposure opportunities.
Prior to his present appointment, Simpson was an assistant defensive line coach at both Columbia University and Williams College, served as a graduate assistant at Norwich University, and had a two-year internship with the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys. He also interned with the New York Giants in the summer of 2003 and Miami Dolphins in 2002.
Simpson, 58, graduated from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University in 1978, and as a player helped lead that program to two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships and a 25-game winning streak. As a defensive end, he led the team in quarterback sacks as a senior.
An All-New York City player at Midwood High School in the mid-1970s, Simpson has a master's degree in educational administration. He and his wife, Gladys, reside in the Capital Region.
