Alex Simmons (61-54) enters her fifth season as the head coach of the Gardner-Webb women’s basketball program in 2022-23.
During the 2020-21 season, Simmons steered the ‘Dogs to overall record of 11-13 and 10-7 in the Big South. Under Simmons, Alasia Smith was named Big South Freshman of the Year after the five-time Freshman of the Week averaged 11.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and led the conference 4.0 offensive rebounds per game. Simmons also had two players awarded postseason all-conference honors at the conclusion of the season.
Simmons led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to an 18-11 overall record and 13-7 in Big South Conference play in 2019-20, finishing fifth in the league standings. GWU was arguably the hottest team in the league at the conclusion of the regular season, winning four straight games and seven of their last eight matchups before play was halted prior to the Big South tournament.
Simmons saw Carley Plentovich earn a handful of accolades during the 2019-20 season, including All-Big South honors, as well as a Big South Player of the Week award. She also became the program’s 24th 1,000-point scorer, the first under Simmons, and was named to the Big South’s All-Academic team.
In her first season in Boiling Springs, Simmons led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a 16-15 record and 10-8 Big South mark in 2018-19 with two players - Carley Plentovich and Jhessyka Williams - earning All-Big South honors.
Simmons led Gardner-Webb to a fifth-place finish in 2018-19 in the Big South regular season standings and had three players earn weekly honors from the conference. Carley Plentovich earned two Player of the Week awards, including one after a record-breaking night in a win over USC Upstate. Simmons also helped Williams and Gabrielle Caponegro receive weekly honors.
Simmons was officially announced as the head coach of the GWU women’s basketball program on April 24, 2018, her first head coaching job after assistant coaching stints at Ole Miss (2013-2018) and Middle Tennessee State (2010-2013). She also served as a graduate assistant coach at Kansas (2009-2010). The Shelbyville, Tenn., native also served as the interim head coach at Ole Miss in 2018.
“I am ecstatic to become the next head coach of the women’s basketball team at Gardner-Webb University,” said Simmons during her introductory press conference. “This is an opportunity that I have worked for my whole life and God could not have chosen a better place for me and my family. The University and surrounding community afford any student-athlete a chance to experience a family atmosphere, along with an opportunity to compete for championships in the Big South Conference.”
Simmons was named to the WBCA Thirty Under Thirty Top Assistant Coaches list in 2017 and, as director of recruiting, reeled in three consecutive top-20 classes for Ole Miss. She also mentored a pair of All-SEC performers during her time with the Rebels.
Prior to her time at Ole Miss, Simmons served as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, helping the Blue Raiders to three NCAA Tournament appearances during her time on the bench. Her work with the team’s post players produced an honorable mention All-America selection and – in 2011-2012 – saw the Blue Raiders grab the most rebounds since 1983.
Simmons’ basketball roots run deeply to the most respected places in the game. She played collegiately at the University of Tennessee under basketball Hall of Famer Pat Summitt from 2004-2009, helping the Lady Vols win a pair of NCAA Division I National Championships (2007, 2008).
Simmons played on three Final Four squads (2005, 2007-2008) and another Elite Eight team (2006), serving as a team captain and the Lady Vols representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Simmons was a high school star at one of the nation’s most storied prep programs, earning Tennessee Miss Basketball honors at Shelbyville (Tenn.) High in 2004. She earned WBCA All-American honors and played in both the WBCA and McDonald’s All-America Games following her senior season. Simmons was also tabbed an All-America player by Street & Smith’s (2nd team) and was a USA Today and Student Sports Junior All-America in 2003.
Also, an honorable mention Street & Smith’s All-America selection in 2001 and 2002, Simmons helped the Golden Eaglettes to state championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004. She was a three-time All-State selection, four-time All-District choice and was named Mid-State Player of the Year in 2003.
On the AAU circuit, Simmons was named a 16U All-American in 2003 and helped her team to a third-place finish at AAU Nationals and a first-place finish at AAU Junior Nationals.
She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2008 with a degree in exercise science. Simmons and her husband, Christian, have two daughters – Carsyn and Channing.
