Bob Simmons was named the 18th head coach in men's basketball on July 28, 2015. Boasting two decades of collegiate coaching experience, Simmons came to Meadville after spending two seasons as the head coach at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa
In 2014-15, Marywood finished 14-11, marking the second best single-season record in program history. The Pacers again established new team marks for field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage, while also leading the CSAC in team defense, as they surrendered an average of just 67 points per game. His team also continued to perform admirably in the classroom, topping the conference for a second straight season with a mark of 3.33.
Prior to his tenure at Marywood, Simmons worked on the staff at Division-I Ball State University for six seasons, starting in 2007 as an assistant coach, before being elevated to Associate Head Coach in September 2009. With Simmons on the bench, the Cardinals turned in five top-three finishes in the Mid-American Conference's West Division, including the 2010-11 squad that finished 19-13. He was instrumental in the team's recruiting efforts, seeing a total of five Cardinal players named to the MAC All-Freshman Team during his stint at Ball State.
Simmons went to Ball State after working as an assistant at Division-I Lehigh for five seasons (2002-07) under head coach Billy Taylor. He held a variety of roles at the Bethlehem, Pa. institution, including coordinating recruiting efforts, devising strength and conditioning programs, overseeing scouting and scheduling, and presiding over the team's annual summer camp program. Simmons' tenure at Lehigh was highlighted by a 2003-04 season in which the Mountain Hawks finished 20-11, won the Patriot League championship, and advanced to the NCAA National Tournament.
He began his collegiate coaching career at the Division III level, starting in 1996 when he was named assistant coach at Lebanon Valley College. Serving as coordinator of recruiting, academics, scouting, film exchange, and strength and conditioning during his four years with the Flying Dutchmen, the team went a combined 78-35, reaching the NCAA Division III playoffs in both 1997 and 1999, while winning the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Tournament in both 1998 and 2000.
In 2000, he accepted the head coaching position at Delaware Valley College, where he worked for two seasons before moving on to Lehigh.
Simmons graduated from Wilkes University in 1993 with degrees in organizational communicatons and secondary education. While at Wilkes, he served as a student assistant on the men's basketball coaching staff during his senior campaign, and, after graduating, worked as an assistant at Crestwood High School in Mountain Top, Pa., and Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton, Pa., where he played scholastically.
Simmons and wife Deb are the proud parents of two daughters, Hanah and Isabela, and the family resides in Meadville.
Allegheny Coaching Career Highlights
2022-23
ECAC Semifinalist
PAC Runner-Up
ECAC Player of the Year: Caden Hinckley
All-ECAC: Caden Hinckley (1st)
PAC Defensive Player of the Year: Caden Hinckley
Three All-PAC: Caden Hinckley (1st), Andre Wilder (2nd), Luke Barker (HM)
Set Season Records in: Points (2,495), FGM (939), 3PM (311), 3PA (859), FT% (74.1%), Rebounds (1,316), Blocks (136)
2021-22
NCAC Championships Appearance
All-NCAC: Caden Hinckley (2nd), Brian Roberts, Jr. (2nd)
2019-20
NCAC Championships Appearance
All-NCAC: Jordan Rawls (1st)
2018-19
NCAC Championships Appearance
Two All-NCAC selections: Jordan Rawls (1st), Brian Roberts, Jr. (HM)
2017-18
All-NCAC: Jordan Rawls (HM)
2016-17
All-NCAC: Evan Zabriski (HM)
2015-16
All-NCAC: Evan Zabriski (HM)
