lorman — The Alcorn State University football team will look to improve on the 21 points per game its offense scored last season.

In order to improve, the Braves offense will have to complete a crash course in new offensive coordinator Willie Simmons’ system.

Simmons made it to Lorman in the early days of June, and he and the rest of new head coach Jay Hopson’s staff are still playing catch up.

“We are doing everything right now,” Simmons said. “We’re all wearing about 10 hats trying to get caught up. We are four months behind.”

Simmons said the coaching staff is still catching up on game film, practice organization and, most importantly to him, installing the offense.

“This is usually the leg work you do between January and April,” he said. “We’re just trying to install the offense with the staff.”

NCAA limitations prevent coaches from organized meetings in the summer, and Simmons said the Alcorn players would have to learn as much of his offense as possible in 30 days of camp.

“We’re not able to coach or hold meetings, so really all we can do is meet with each guy on an individual basis,” he said. “They’ve been given a playbook to study and go over, but there’s not a whole lot you can do. You usually have 15 days of spring to install (an offense), but we don’t have that luxury, so we have to be smart about how much we put on these young men.”

Despite the difficulties he faces, Simmons said he expects to put a good offense on the field.

“We know we’re behind the eight ball, but there are no excuses as to why we can’t put a good product on the field,” Simmons said.

Hopson said he believes the Braves’ offense is in good hands.

“(Simmons) is an outstanding coach, and he brings a lot of coaching experience,” Hopson said. “He is also a first-class guy, and we are excited to have him on our staff.”

Simmons comes to Alcorn from Middle Tennessee State University, where he coached for five seasons, including five games as offensive coordinator last season before resigning citing “personal reasons.”

Simmons was arrested for aggravated assault in October of 2011 before resigning from his position as offensive coordinator. He said the issue has since been resolved, and it was not an issue in the hiring process.

Simmons said the issue was settled in court, and he paid court costs and attended an eight-hour course for a misdemeanor.

“It was an unfortunate situation that was resolved in April,” Simmons said.

Hopson said the incident was not an issue when he decided on Simmons as his offensive coordinator.

“I know Willie is a first-class guy,” Hopson said. “Once I knew the situation was resolved and everything was clean, it was fine.”

Simmons was also a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Clemson University, for one season under head coach Tommy Bowden.

Simmons hopes his quarterbacking experience at Clemson and his seven seasons of coaching experience will help the Alcorn offense.

“I think I bring experience as a player and coach,” he said. “I’ve played the position of quarterback and had that leadership position.”

Simmons said he is also surrounded by a great staff, including Hopson.

“He’s a very great guy,” Simmons said. “He’s a knowledgeable guy and an intense guy. He has a vision for this program, and you can see it in everything he does. He’s the first one in and the last one out. He puts in long hours and is willing to go in and do the dirty work.”

Simmons plans to run a spread offense that features three- and four-wide receiver sets.

“We want to play fast paced, up tempo and no huddle,” he said. “We want to get the ball in space to our playmakers.”

Simmons said his offense can be balanced, and the defense will dictate how much Alcorn will run and pass.

Simmons said he is looking forward to practice and finding out what his new players can do, but overall he knows the Braves’ have the desire to win.

“I know they are hungry,” he said. “They want to win, and they are working their butts off in the weight room and classroom. They are excited about getting started, and I see the look in their eyes. Hopefully they are buying into coach Hopson’s message that we will win when we deserve to win.”

Simmons mentioned players like running back Arnold Walker, receiver Terrance Lewis and quarterback Darius Smith as guys he expects to stand out this season.

“We’ve got some guys with experience and some new guys coming in,” he said. “It will be interesting and fun to evaluate the guys in our system and find the best 11.