Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Jake Diebler has announced the hiring of assistant coach Luke Simons. Simons joins the program with eight years of collegiate experience and another seven of international experience.
“I’m excited to welcome Luke as he’s going to be a great addition to our staff,” Diebler said. “He has the ability to connect with players at every level and his versatility is really important. He’s been on staff at the collegiate level, and he has international coaching experience as well. Those experiences are going to be valuable for our program as we move forward.”
Simons comes to Columbus after spending the previous two seasons as the director of basketball operations at Baylor. In Simons’ two years at Baylor, the Bears won 47 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament each season.
Before his time at Baylor, Simons was the director of basketball operations for one season at Boston College in 2021-22 and served in the same role at College of Charleston for two seasons from 2019-21.
Simons and Diebler both served on staff for three seasons with Bryce Drew at Vanderbilt from 2016-19. Simons was the program’s director of scouting. During the 2016-16 season, the Commadores were 19-16 overall and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to their time in Nashville, Simons and Diebler were also together at Valparaiso during the 2015-16 season as Simons was the program’s director of scouting. That season, the Crusaders the Crusaders set the program’s single season win record, won a Horizon League championship, and advanced to the finals of the National Invitation Tournament.
Simons served as Director of Operations for Team USA at three World University Games, a stretch that saw the men’s basketball team win two golds and a silver medal. He also co-founded the International Basketball Coaches Experience, an event held annually at the NCAA Final Four.
His international coaching experience also includes working as an assistant coach and Director of Player Development for the Mongolian National Team from 2012-15, helping guide the team to the final round of the 2015 Asian Games.
Simons spent nearly a decade as a coach and regional coordinator with Athletes in Action, created to help athletes to use their platform as a part of God’s mission. During his time with AIA, he served an integral role in assembling and directing multiple international competitive tours throughout Europe and Asia. Additionally, he created Captains Academy, an AIA leadership initiative to serve influencers specifically in the sport of basketball.
The Shelbyville, Ind., native is a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in movement and sports science.
Luke Simons’ Coaching Career
2024-Pres. Ohio State Assistant Coach
2022-24 Baylor Director of Basketball Operations (2 seasons)
2021-22 Boston College Director of Basketball Operations (1 season)
2019-21 College of Charleston Director of Basketball Operations (2 seasons)
2016-19 Vanderbilt Director of Scouting (3 seasons)
2015-16 Valparaiso Director of Scouting (1 season)
2012-14 Mongolian National Team Assistant coach and Dir. of Player Development (2 seasons)
2007-12 Athletes in Action International Team Director (5 seasons)
2006-07 Black Hawk College (Ill.) Interim Head Coach (1 season)
2001-06 West Lafayette HS (Ind.) Assistant Coach (5 seasons)
