78 Photo Essay: Tim Simon—Coach, Cordova High School

Words by Nick Norris | Image by Blakeney Clouse

Tim Simon has two passions: football and his hometown. After his promising college football career came to an untimely end, the Cordova native returned to his former high school as a coach.

 It was on Cordova High’s Hudson-Kirby Field where Tim became a hometown hero a mere 13 years ago. That year, 2007, the junior tailback and safety helped bring Cordova its first 15-0 record and the school’s second state playoff championship.

 After a hard-fought season, the Blue Devils found themselves in the 3A State Championship pitted against the formidable Clay County Panthers, who had won 6 state playoff championships over the past 13 years.

 But Tim refused to hand them another. The tailback rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers, averaging nearly 8 yards per carry on 18 rushes. One play still sticks out in Tim’s mind to this day.

 “It was 4th-and-1 on our own 30 in the third quarter,” Tim fondly reminisces. “Coach told us that this would make or break us. He trusted me with the ball on a simple lead. I broke a tackle and ran for about 13 yards. Then, the momentum started to shift.”

Tim scored the Blue Devils’ only touchdowns and swatted a late pass on defense to secure the 21-13 victory. Afterwards, Tim was named the game’s MVP, though he still credits the success to the rest of the team.

 “I had a very good line in front of me,” Tim explains. “It’s easy to get 10 yards when nobody is touching you.”

 Selflessness has remained a staple of Tim’s character, as well as determination and optimism. In his freshman year at Ole Miss, the running back suffered a career-ending leg injury, but he refused to give up on his dreams.

 “After I was told my career was over, I wanted to quit school,” Tim remembers. “But my uncle reminded me that I’d be the first from our family to graduate from college, and my dad told me that this family doesn’t quit. So, I stuck with it, got my degree, and worked toward becoming a coach.”

 The hard work paid off. Now Tim is back in his hometown, coaching at his alma mater.

 “I love this community,” Tim says appreciatively. “For Cordova to give me the opportunity to come back and coach their kids, I think it speaks volumes.”

 Coach Simon’s story reminds us that even when tragedy might uproot our plans, it doesn’t mean we can’t plant somewhere else. 78