DENTON, Texas - North Texas head football coach has completed the hiring of his assistant coaching staff, adding Mike Grant as running backs coach and Mike Simmonds as the offensive line coach.
A 16-year coaching veteran, Grant coached with McCarney at Iowa State from 1998-2006. He is coming to North Texas after serving most recently as an assistant head coach and wide receivers coach at Western Michigan for the last three seasons. At Iowa State, Grant spent time coaching wide receivers and running backs, as well as two years as a defensive assistant. He played quarterback at Nebraska from 1988-92 and was a member of teams that earned three Orange Bowl invitations as well a Fiesta and Citrus Bowl appearance. He has participated in 13 bowl games as either a player or coach during his career.
"Mike has had tremendous success in the highest level of college football, both as a player at Nebraska and an assistant coach in some very successful programs," McCarney said. "We spent eight great years together at Iowa State and the running backs at North Texas will love playing for him."
Simmonds takes over for Justin Frye, who left to pursue another coaching opportunity. Simmonds was the offensive line coach at South Florida from 2007-09, where he was on the staff with McCarney and North Texas offensive coordinator Mike Canales. He coached the offensive line at his alma mater Indiana State during the 2010 season. He played four seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman with Tampa Bay and San Diego.
"Mike's career spans both college and NFL as an offensive lineman when he played," McCarney said. "I was able to work with him and Mike Canales at South Florida and we won nine games and went as high as No. 2 in the nation in the polls. He will bring a physical approach and our offensive line at North Texas will learn to play with a great deal of pride under Mike's leadership."
McCarney also added a football strength coach to his staff, hiring Frank Wintrich from South Florida. Wintrich was the associate director of strength and conditioning for the Bulls, working very closely with the football team.
"Frank is one of the most respected strength and conditioning coaches I have been around," McCarney said. "He brings a great blend of knowledge, discipline, pride and leadership to the team. He will have a huge positive impact on our program."
