Dave Simmons, now in his first season as head coach at McNeese State, has been around winning athletic programs at every turn, particularly for the past seven seasons when he helped Northwestern State rebuild its basketball fortunes.

He was an assistant coach at Lousiana Tech when that university went to the NIT Final Four and made two NCAA appearances, he was an assistant at McNeese when the Cowboys won the league title and appeared in the NCAAs, he was an assistant at Delta State when it won 24 games and apppeared in the Division II Final Four and he was an assistant at Northwestern State when the Demons won back to back league titles, participated in the NCAAs and gave the Southland Conference a first round victory for the first time since the 1980s.

During a 21 year coaching career, Simmons has helped along the careers of more than 20 players who have gone on to play professional, one of the biggest names being Karl Malone. Others he has coached who have gone on to play in the NBA include McNeese State's own Michael Cutright and Anthony Pullard and Randy White and Rennie Bailey of Louisiana Tech.

Simmons is a graduate of Louisiana Tech and as a player for the Bulldogs was a three-time all-Southland Conference performer, team captain and team MVP. In 1981 he ranked fifth nationally in free throw shooting and continues to hold the Tech single season record for free throw accuracy (89 pct., 130-146 in 1980-81) and for career accuracy (81.8 pct, 333-407 for 1977-81).

He and his wife Elaine Marie have three sons Desmond, David and Deon.

Simmons Bio

Date of Birth July 24, 1959

Place of Birth DeRidder, LA

Married wife Elaine Marie

Children Desmond, David, Deon

Education

1977-1985 Louisiana Tech University M.S., Health and Physical Education B.S., Health and Physical Education Minor, Business Education

Playing Experience

1977-81 Louisiana Tech University team captain, team MVP, ranked 5th in nation in free throw shooting in 1981; still holds Louisiana Tech single season record for free throw accuracy (89 pct, 130-146 in 1980-81) and for career free throw accuracy (81.8 pct., 333-407, 1977-81)

Coaching Experience

1999-present Northwestern State (assistant coach)

1994-1996 Edward Waters College (head coach)

1987-1994 McNeese State (assistant coach)

1986-1987 Delta State (assistant coach)

1985-1986 Louisiana Tech (assistant coach)

Accolades

2005-2006 Northwestern State SLC Champions; SLC Tournament Champions; Won first round game of NCAA tournament; Record of 26-8

2004-2005 Northwestern State SLC Champions

2000-2001 Northwestern State Interim head coach for one game (1-0, defeated Southeastern Louisiana) Southland Conference Tournament Champions (NCAA Tournament)

1994-1995 Edward Waters College EIAC Semifinals

1988-1989 McNeese State University Southland Conference Tournament Champions (NCAA Tournament)

1986-1987 Delta State University Final Four Division II

1985-1986 Louisiana Tech University NIT Final Four

1984-1985 Louisiana Tech University Southland Conference Champions (NCAA tournament second round)

1983-1984 Louisiana Tech University NCAA tournament second round