Juwan Simpson
Defensive Line Coach

CFL: 2nd season
Stamps: 2nd season

Simpson is in his second season as a Stampeders coach after previously spending eight seasons as a player for the Red and White.

In his first season as defensive line coach, Simpson oversaw a unit led by Mike Rose, who led all CFL defensive tackles in 2023 with 11 sacks. Rose was named a West Division and CFL all-star. Three others members of the defensive line – Julian Howsare with six, Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund with five and James Vaughters with five in just six games – also made significant contributions in the sack department.

In between his stints in Calgary, Simpson coached high-school football in his home state of Alabama, most recently as defensive coordinator at Westminster Christian Academy.

Simpson joined the Stamps in 2008 and became the starting middle linebacker in 2010. From 2008-15, the Decatur, Ala., native played 115 regular-season games for the Red and White as well as 11 post-season contests and was a member of Grey Cup-winning teams in 2008 and 2014.

The University of Alabama product was a three-time West Division all-star and was a CFL all-star and a finalist for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award in 2010 after a season in which he recorded 71 defensive tackles, seven sacks, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.

In the regular season, Simpson accumulated 395 career tackles, 24 sacks, three interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He added 43 tackles and one sack in 11 post-season contests.

Prior to coming to Calgary, Simpson was standout at the University of Alabama. He was a starter at linebacker for his final 24 games with the Crimson Tide and was a defensive captain his senior season. He was an academic all-Southeastern Conference selection in 2005 and was on the all-SEC freshman team in 2003.

He signed with the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2007.

Simpson has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama. He has two children – daughter Laila and son A.J.

Juwan Simpson’s Coaching History
2023 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Defensive Line Coach
2022 – Westminster Christian Academy (Alabama) – Defensive Coordinator
2018-21 – James Clemens High School (Alabama) – Assistant Coach
2016-17 – Austin High School (Alabama) – Defensive Line Coach