Tom Sims

Position: Defensive Line Experience: First Season Alma Mater: Pittsburgh, 1990

Entering his first year at Kansas is Tom Sims, a 12-year coaching veteran and a former NFL player. Sims, who was hired in February of 2009, will coach the Jayhawk defensive linemen.

"We are glad to have Tom on our coaching staff," Mangino said. "He brings great experience as a coach and as a former NFL defensive lineman."

Sims spent the last four seasons as the defensive line coach at Illinois. Last season the Illini recorded 32 sacks, just two shy of leading the Big Ten Conference. In 2007, Illinois recorded a school record 40 sacks, including 28.5 by Sims' linemen.

Under his direction four Illinois defensive linemen earned All-Big Ten honors. The Illini played in the 2008 Rose Bowl.

Prior to his arrival at Illinois, Sims coached the defensive line at Minnesota from 2001-04. In both 2003 and 2004, Minnesota held the opponents to less than 130 yards rushing per game. In 2002 the Gophers registered 31 sacks.

Sims began his coaching career working with the defensive linemen at Western Kentucky from 1997-99 before spending one season coaching the position at Eastern Michigan.

Sims played seven seasons as a defensive tackle in the NFL, including four years with the Kansas City Chiefs (1990-92, 96). He also spent two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (1993 and 1994) and was in camp with the Minnesota Vikings (1995). Twice he recorded 12 tackles in a game.

Sims played collegiately at Western Michigan from 1985-86 before transferring to Pittsburgh, where he recorded 142 tackles and 12.5 sacks in two seasons from 1988-89.

A Detroit, Mich. native, Sims earned a business degree from Pittsburgh in 1990. He and his wife Rene have two daughters, Sydney and Zoe.