Quarterback Ty Simpson Comes From a Football Family

After Ty’s first full season as Alabama’s starter, Julie reflected on the journey that brought him there. “He’s loved this game since he was a little bitty boy,” she told The Jackson Sun. “He grew up in the locker room and on the field, and to watch him go out there and play and do it like he's always dreamed of…And he waited so patiently and knew he could do it. It was just a huge blessing.”

Meet Ty’s dad, Jason:

Ty hugs Jason before the Alabama v. Tennessee game in October 2025.Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images

Jason has been the head coach at UT Martin since 2006, leading the Skyhawks to five Ohio Valley Conference titles over 21 seasons at the FCS program, the second-highest level of NCAA Division I college football in the U.S. Before taking the head coaching job, he worked as an assistant at Jacksonville State, Texas State, and Chattanooga.

In his playing days, Jason quarterbacked at Mississippi State and also played baseball for the Bulldogs before hitting baseballs for two seasons at Southern Miss.

Jason coaching during a UT Martin v. Kansas State game in 2024.Peter G. Aiken - Getty Images

Although father and son two now frequently coach and play, respectively, on the same day, each of them are keeping tabs on how the other is doing while focused on their own game. After multiple games this season, Ty has told reporters he would not take questions until he found out whether the Skyhawks had won. “It is a great feeling when both of you get to experience wins,” Jason told WPSD. “It means a lot to me that he would still be interested in my score, but he grew up in that locker room. This was his Alabama growing up.”

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