10 Questions with Dan Simrell

Dan Simrell NOT BLADE PHOTO Enlarge

With football camps in full swing, it seems like the perfect time to get caught up with former University of Toledo coach Dan Simrell (1982-89). The Toledo native graduated from DeVilbiss High School and UT and began his coaching career at the prep level at St. Francis de Sales and Start. From 1971-81, Simrell served as a Rockets assistant under Jack Murphy and Chuck Stobart before becoming the first Toledo alumnus to be named the school's head coach. He was fired after the '89 season, shortly after becoming the winningest coach in UT history with a record of 50-37-2 and a Mid-American Conference championship in 1984. Later, Simrell spent one year as secondary coach under Stobart at Memphis, then worked for Don Nehlen as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at West Virginia from 1991-99. He returned to northwest Ohio and the head coaching ranks at the University of Findlay from 2000-06.

1. Where are you and Dodo living these days and what occupies your time?

[My wife and I] live on Lake James near Angola, Ind., where we used to spend time during the summers while we were in high school. Dodo works daily in her studio as an artist and when I'm not coaching I spend a lot of time on the golf course.

2. Still coaching?

I'm the quarterbacks coach at Trine University.

3. Toledoans may not be real familiar with Trine, which used to be known as Tri-State University, so can you tell us a little about the football program?

Trine is a school of about 1,600 students in Angola. We have an excellent Division III program and the university has outstanding engineering and business schools. I work with a bunch of enthusiastic young coaches and our team was [Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association] champion in 2008 and 2009 with 10 wins each season and we qualified for the Division III playoffs both years.

4. Where does being named head coach at UT, your alma mater and where you played quarterback, rank among career thrills?

It is hard to believe that was almost 30 years ago. When I began coaching my only goal was to be the head coach at UT. Being named to that job at such a young age (38) was very exciting, especially in my hometown.

5. Conversely, losing that job was a huge disappointment. Despite the tremendous outpouring of support by the community, how long did it take to put that behind you?

I was always taught by my coaches, especially Frank Lauterbur, that you are going to get knocked down. I tried to teach my players the same thing, you get knocked down and you get up and do it again. That's what I tried to do. I have always had a love for the city of Toledo and for the university and that will never change. I appreciated all the support I received and always will. I was no different than anyone else losing their job at 46. It was tough. But that opened a lot of doors for which I am thankful.

6. Did being named to the Varsity T Hall of Fame in 1996 mend all the fences?

It was not about mending fences. After 23 years at UT as a player and coach it was an honor that I cherish.

7. Do you get back to Toledo often? Any family still here?

We get back to see our son Michael, who is GM at Exel Logistics, his wife, Kelly, and our granddaughter Katie, who will be a senior at Northview High School. We are thankful that our son Geoff lives close by in Angola. My brother, David, and my sister, Joanne, still live in Toledo. It's only about a 90-minute drive.

8. Are you hooking it or slicing it these days?

As much as I'm playing I should be hitting it straighter. I told Dodo that before I die I wanted to be a single-digit handicap golfer. She told me I'd better live to be 100.

9. Findlay was highs and lows. After a lifetime of coaching at the Division I level, what did you find to be the biggest challenge of coaching at a small college?

I've been at Division I, II and III, and the players are all the same. They all have the same wants, desires, dreams, pains, frustrations, and fears. They don't all have the same ability. The enjoyment of coaching has always been the same for me at any level. I don't need 65,000 people sitting behind me. It was frustrating at Findlay to not be able to compete with Grand Valley State.

10. Your friends know that Dodo is the real talent in the family. Is she still a busy artist?

Yes. If I could coach half as well as Dodo paints I would never have lost a game.

- Dave Hackenberg