Following an extensive nationwide search, the Clark University Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Tyler Simms as the next Head Coach of the men’s basketball program. Director of Athletics and Recreation Trish Cronin confirmed the appointment of Simms as he will join the department in June of 2019.
“We are very excited to have Tyler joining our staff as the next head men’s basketball coach. His coaching experience stood out in our nationwide search and his commitment to player and personal development will certainly take the men’s basketball program to the next level. His leadership, dedication, and profound knowledge of our community will greatly contribute to the program’s future success,” said Cronin.
Simms brings over 10 years of coaching experience to Clark, including his most recent four seasons as the assistant coach of the Division I, Ivy League, Brown University basketball program. Prior to Brown Simms served as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Trinity College basketball team for two years.
“I am incredibly honored to be the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Clark University. I would like to thank Director of Athletics and Recreation Trish Cronin, Board of Trustees member Kevin Cherry ’81, and the rest of the search committee for their confidence and support. Clark is a truly special institution with its academic excellence, community involvement and basketball program that holds a rich history of national success. It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I look forward to being part of the Clark community and getting to know our student-athletes,” said Simms.
Simms helped the Bears finish fourth overall in the Ivy League standings at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 season with a 20-12 overall record and 7-7 record in the conference. Brown set several program records during the 2018-19 season including: most wins in a season (20), most non-conference wins (13) and its first ever post-season tournament victory, a first round win over UAB in the first round of the CBI. Simms was heavily involved in the recruitment and development of Tamenang Choh, who garnered All-Ivy Second Team in 2018-19, as well as Zachary Hunsaker who was honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-American this past season. While at Brown, Simms assisted in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, contributed to opponent and self-scouting, and enhanced player development through pre and post-season individual workouts. Simms aided in the development of Steven Spieth, who garnered All-Ivy First Team, CoSIDA Academic All-American, and USBWA All-District honors following the 2016-17 season. He was also heavily involved in the recruitment of the Ivy League 2017-18 Rookie of the Year, Desmond Cambridge.
“We are thrilled with the amount of interest shown in the Clark men’s basketball head coach position. After a thorough and competitive interview process we selected Tyler and we are very excited to have him join the staff. We look forward to a winning era under Coach Simms,” said Board of Trustees Alumni Member and Co-Chair of the Search Committee, Kevin Cherry ’81.
Prior to Brown, Simms served as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Division III, New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) member, Trinity College from 2013-2015. With his leadership, the Bantams finished first in the NESCAC regular season and advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament in the 2014-2015 season. Simms was instrumental in the development of Trinity’s perimeter players, including 2014-15 First-Team All-NESCAC, D3Hoops.com and ECAC All-Region honoree, Jaquann Starks. While at Trinity, Simms contributed to all aspects of the program, including scouting, player development, and the establishment of the Alumni Mentorship program.
Simms graduated in 2008 from Trinity College with a bachelor’s degree in educational studies. He played four years at Trinity and held the position of team captain in 2007-08.
During his career, the Bantams went 79-25 and won the NESCAC tournament championship in 2007-08 for the first time in school history. Simms was named to the NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team during his senior season and also earned the John Kelley Award for “commitment and sacrifice to his teammates and program.”
Simms spent the 2008-09 season as an assistant coach at Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Wilbraham, Mass. He also held the position of program director for Basketball, LLC, a company that runs AAU and high school events for the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Following his stint at Wilbraham and Monson Academy, Simms took on the role as a graduate assistant at Mercyhurst University from 2009-11. In this role Simms assisted in all aspects of the Mercyhurst program, from on-court coaching, advanced scouting and recruiting, to game preparation and individual player development.
Simms was also the Director of Basketball Operations at Siena College in Albany, N.Y. from 2001-13. He served under head coach Mitch Buonaguro and held responsibilities that included practice and skill development planning, video editing and exchange, and Director of Siena’s Team, Day and Elite Camps.
https://www.clarkathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2018-19/releases/20190417l95r66
