Last spring, Jess Simpson was a defensive assistant for the NFL’s Falcons, watching film, helping evaluate players and working with Atlanta’s defensive line.
Jonathan Patke, meanwhile, was already in Coral Gables. He was working as a quality control analyst for the Hurricanes, helping put together scouting reports for Miami’s defensive coaches, breaking down film and helping defensive coordinator Manny Diaz with the Hurricanes linebackers.
Fast forward a year and Simpson is Miami’s defensive line coach and Patke, the Hurricanes outside linebackers coach. Both have spent the better part of the past three weeks continuing to get to know their players and finding ways to put their own fingerprints on a Miami defense that is looking to continue building on last season’s success.