PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University head football coach Brian Wright announced the recent hiring of Devante Sims as the Gorillas defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
 
Sims comes to Pitt State after serving the past two years as defensive backs coach at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.
 
While at ASU, he helped the Rams claim the 2022 Lone Star Conference Championship, posting a 12-1 record while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II national playoffs. ASU ranked in the top five nationally in scoring defense (#4), passing yards allowed (#4), total defense (#1), interceptions (#1) and defensive passing efficiency (#2) in 2022. During the 2021 season, the Rams posted an 11-3 record and reached the NCAA-II national quarterfinals.
 
Prior to coaching at ASU, Sims served as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Eastern New Mexico State University from July 2019 to March 2021. During the 2018 season, Sims served as Co-Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach at his alma mater, Lake Erie College. He also served as cornerbacks coach at Angelo State in 2017 and at Thiel College in 2016.
 
Sims played collegiately at Lake Erie from the 2011-14 seasons. A three-year starter, he compiled 113 career tackles and finished his career tied for third place in school history in pass breakups.
 
A native of Fort Myers, Fla., Sims earned a bachelor's of science degree in sports management from Lake Erie College in May 2015.
 
"I am excited to announce the addition of Devante Sims, his wife, Anya and daughter, Amina, to our Gorilla Football Family," Wright said. "Devante is a talented young coach who brings a great deal of defensive secondary knowledge to our program along with crucial recruiting ties in the states of Texas and Florida. Devante helped recruit and develop one the of top defensive secondaries in the country at LSC Champion Angelo State the last two seasons; and he is a great addition to our staff. "