Phillip Sims (American football)


Phillip Sims is an American football coach and former player. He played college football at Alabama, Virginia and Winston-Salem State. After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Sims was signed by the Arizona Cardinals. He also played professionally for the Seattle Seahawks and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 2017, Sims was named the head football coach at John Marshall High School.

Early years

Sims attended Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia where he graduated in 2010. Sims was one of the top recruits coming out of high school and was a five star recruit.

College career

Alabama Crimson Tide

Coming out of high school Sims committed to play football for Alabama. Sims sat out for his true freshman season in 2010 to redshirt. In 2011 Sims was the backup quarterback to AJ McCarron and played in eight different games. Sims was a member of the team that won the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.

Virginia Cavaliers

Sims transferred to Virginia from Alabama in May 2012 because he did not win the starting job and was granted a waiver by the NCAA to play immediately due to his father’s health situation. He appeared in all 12 games during the 2012 season throwing for 1,263 yards with 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Winston-Salem State Rams

Sims transferred to Winston-Salem State from Virginia in 2013 after being ruled academically ineligible at Virginia. Sims was forced to sit out for the 2013 season due to transfer rules. In 2014 Sims played in all 11 games. Splitting time at QB, Sims was team’s leading passer completing 118-of-198 passes for 1,560 yards and 15 TDs with just 4 INTs.

Professional career

Arizona Cardinals

On May 2, 2015, after going undrafted, Sims was invited to an Arizona Cardinals' rookie camp on a tryout basis. On May 10, 2015, Sims was signed by the Cardinals. On September 4, 2015, Sims was waived from the Cardinals' roster as part of their roster cuts to 53 players.

Seattle Seahawks

On January 4, 2016, Sims signed a futures contract with the Seattle Seahawks. On April 28, 2016, Sims was waived by the Seattle Seahawks after less than a year with the team.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On June 6, 2016, Sims was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Coaching career

In 2017, Sims was named the head football coach at John Marshall High School in Virginia.
On January 31 2020, Sims accepted the head coaching position at J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County, also in the Richmond metropolitan area.