Ernie Sims now owns a key position within the football staff. Here's how he'll be compensated.
Florida State football made it a big priority to keep one legend on the staff in January.
Ernie Sims not only stayed put, but head coach Mike Norvell elevated the FSU legend to full-time linebackers coach -- eliminating the "assistant" tag he received.
Now Sims' monetary details for his role became revealed via Noles247 Thursday.
Sims is on a one-year contract in a deal also set up by athletic director Michael Alford. And as of Jan. 31, he's now set to earn $400,000 annually for his role. Here's what else is attached to his deal.
If Sims terminates his employment with FSU prior to January 31, 2027, for any reason, the school employee shall pay to the university, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to the following:
* 25% of coach's gross annual compensation or any fraction there of remaining in the contract term.
* However, this only takes effect if the coach terminates his employment prior to the conclusion of contract year one for any reason other than: (I) a head football coaching position at another university, (II) a coordinator position with primary play-calling authority at another institution, or (III) a coaching position in the NFL, in which case the employee does not owe any liquidated damages to university.
Now, if FSU terminates this agreement without cause involving Sims, the university shall pay the employee's liquidated damages in an amount equal to 75% of the total annual compensation remaining on the otherwise unexpired total term.
Here's what else Sims gets in this contract:
* $1,250 in Nike Elite Allotment -- with Florida State remaining endorsed by the shoe company that outfits the Seminoles' game day uniforms. FSU has worked with Nike since 1998, when universities were allowed to be outfitted by the brand.
* Sims' contract pays $650 in monthly car allowance as a university employee.
* Cell phone is also paid for, which is often provided by the university.
Sims, again, became an integral retainment on the side of Norvell.
"Ernie is Florida State through-and-through," Norvell said in the mid-January news release from the school. "He grew up in Tallahassee, developed into one of the top recruits in the country and chose to stay home at Florida State."
Norvell added how Sims became a popular assistant among recruits. With many responded well to the former linebacker's coaching style.
Sims already became persistent on the recruiting trail -- landing three-star Gregory Batson in Nov. 2025. He also landed Karon Maycock out of Miami from the 2026 class -- and right in front of the rival Hurricanes.
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