Bob Simmons has been named the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Marywood University according to an announcement made by Dr. Mary Jo Gunning, Director of Athletics and Recreation. Simmons returns to the NCAA Division III ranks after spending the past 11 seasons at the Division I level, first as an Assistant Coach at Lehigh University then as an Assistant Coach and Associate Head Coach at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Bob as the fourth men’s basketball coach in Marywood University history and to welcome him home to Northeast Pennsylvania” Dr. Gunning stated. “We are confident that Bob will not only build upon the potential of the current program but will make Marywood University a top destination for high caliber student-athlete prospects in the future.”
A 1993 graduate of Wilkes University, Simmons got his start in coaching as a student-assistant at Wilkes during his senior season. From there, Simmons became an assistant coach at nearby Crestwood High School in Mountain Top before serving in the same capacity at Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton. In July of 1996, Simmons was named the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach/Head Junior Varsity Coach at Lebanon Valley College in Annville.
“Great moments are born from great opportunities, and I think we have a great opportunity here at Marywood” said Simmons. “It feels great to be home and I think there is unlimited potential here at Marywood. My family and I are very excited to return to our roots and we want to make an immediate impact in the community of Northeast Pennsylvania, on and off the court.”
At Lebanon Valley, Simmons served as the recruiting, academic, scouting and film exchange coordinator and was also the program’s strength and conditioning coach. During his four years with the Flying Dutchmen, Lebanon Valley posted a 78-35 (.690 winning percentage) and qualified for the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs each year. Lebanon Valley reached the Division III playoffs in both 1997 and 1999 and captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Championship in 1998 and 2000.
Simmons remained at Lebanon Valley until March of 2000 when he accepted the Head Men’s Basketball coaching position at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, and, after two seasons, accepted an offer from Lehigh University to become their Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach. As an assistant at Division I Lehigh for five seasons, Simmons oversaw the annual equipment budget and the summer camp program while coordinating recruiting, the strength and conditioning program as well as scouting and scheduling. Simmons and Head Coach Billy Taylor helped Lehigh to the Patriot League Championship and the NCAA tournament in 2004.
In August 2007 Simmons moved to Muncie, Indiana to become the Assistant Coach under Taylor at Ball State University, NCAA Division I members of the Mid-American Conference. Simmons served as Assistant Coach for two seasons before being promoted to Associate Head Coach in September 2009, a role he held until March 2013.
Simmons played a pivotal role in guiding the Cardinals to top-3 finishes in the Mid-American Conference West Division in five straight seasons. He helped the 2010-11 team to a 19-13 record, marking the 11th most wins in a single season in Ball State History. Ball State’s top assistant, Simmons was instrumental in recruiting efforts with a large number of his recruits contributing immediately. Five Cardinals were named to the MAC All-Freshman Team in his time with the program.
"Search Committees seldom are as unanimous in their endorsement of a single candidate as they were with the recommendation of Bob Simmons” said Dr. Raymond Heath, Vice President for Student Life at Marywood. “We are very pleased to welcome Bob and his family back to the area where he began his career and as new members of the Marywood community. Bob has unlimited potential to lead the team to the highest levels of success on the court, in the classroom and as student leaders."
Simmons earned his bachelor’s degree from Wilkes in Organizational Communications and Secondary Education in 1993. He and his wife Deb have two daughters, Hanah and Isabella. Simmons will begin his duties on Tuesday, May 28, and an introductory press conference is scheduled for Thursday, May 30 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Room within Marywood’s Center for Athletics and Wellness.
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