Johnny Simmons Joins Ragin' Cajuns Men's Basketball Staff

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball program welcomed a new assistant coach Wednesday as head coach Robert Lee officially announced the hiring of Johnny Simmons to his 2005-06 coaching staff.

Simmons spent the past six seasons at Louisiana Tech serving on the staff of Keith Richard. He replaces Carlin Hartman who resigned in June to accept a position at the University of Richmond.

Simmons' addition completes Lee's coaching staff which also includes Rennie Bailey and Jason Kennemer. His hiring is pending approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees.

"Johnny (Simmons) is a great addition to our basketball staff," Lee said. "Coach Simmons is one of the best recruiters in the business who will definitely help us in our pursuit of maintaining the level of excellence this program has established over the past few years."

Simmons arrived at Louisiana Tech during the 1999-2000 season and coached there through the 2004-05 season. The Bulldogs notched winning records in four of the six seasons he was with the program. During the 2001-02 season he joined Keith Richard in guiding the Bulldogs to a postseason bid in the NIT - Tech's first postseason action in 10 years.

Simmons' main responsibilities with the Tech program this past season included assisting with recruiting, on the floor coaching and scheduling.

Simmons spent 10 years as head coach of Farmerville (La.) High School before making the move to the collegiate ranks. He coached at FHS from 1988-98 directing the program to five district championships in class 3A. Under his tutelage the program turned out 19 all-district players, six district MVPs and five all-state players. Six of his former players have gone on to play Division I basketball.

Simmons is a 1984 graduate of Louisiana Tech with a bachelor's degree in general studies. Before joining the coaching profession, Simmons spent five years in the banking profession.

The Ruston, La., native is married to the former Patricia Williams of Ruston. The Simmons have four childen, Lakia, Reggie, Dinia and Jonis.

LOUISIANA SI

[NewsCopy]

Johnny Simmons has gotten an up-close look at the basketball rivalry between Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns and Louisiana Tech over the years, graduating from Tech and serving his alma mater as an assistant coach for the last six years under Keith Richard.

On Wednesday, UL confirmed reports that Simmons will get a new perspective on the Cajuns as a new assistant coach for the school's Sun Belt Conference champion squad.

He becomes the second Tech product to serve under head coach Robert Lee, joining Rennie Bailey on Lee's staff.

"This is like a kid leaving home knowing he needs to branch out, but at the same time hate to leave the confines of home," said Simmons, who is replacing Carlin Hartman on the Cajun staff.

It's a good fit for UL, which opened the 2004-05 season with an 84-63 victory over Tech at LSU and went on to win the Sun Belt title in Lee's first year at the helm.

"Johnny is a great addition to our basketball staff," Lee said. "Coach Simmons is one of the best recruiters in the business who will definitely help us in our pursuit of maintaining the level of excellence this program has established over the past few years."

Simmons spent the past six seasons at Louisiana Tech serving on the staff of Keith Richard. He replaces Hartman, who resigned in June to accept a position at the University of Richmond.

Simmons' addition completes Lee's coaching staff, which also includes Bailey and Jason Kennemer. His hiring is pending approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[DestinCajun]

Johnny Simmons has gotten an up-close look at the basketball rivalry between Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns and Louisiana Tech over the years, graduating from Tech and serving his alma mater as an assistant coach for the last six years under Keith Richard.

But what I want to know is if his degree is from an accredited college or university?

[DaddyCajun]

Welcome coach Simmons!!! Lets get it done! We want to Dance every year either @ the BIG Dance or the Little Dance!!


DaddyCajun

[ULCAJUN]

Welcome coach Simmons!!! Lets get it done! We want to Dance every year either @ the BIG Dance or the Little Dance!!


DaddyCajun

who needs the little dance? We're going all the way to the top. Sweet 16's the goal, the field of 64 is what we will settle for. Let's keep raising expectations for the team every year in hope that eventually we will attract national attention on a yearly basis. Props to an improved '05-'06 cajun team.

[RaginEsquire06]

"Johnny is a great addition to our basketball staff," Lee said. "Coach Simmons is one of the best recruiters in the business who will definitely help us in our pursuit of maintaining the level of excellence this program has established over the past few years."

Will Johnny bring one of his "better recruits" with him to represent the Vermilion and White?