Head coach Chanda Rigby and the Troy women’s basketball program announced the completion of their 2013-14 coach staff on Monday. Courtney Simmons and Mike Ryan join Rigby’s staff as assistant coaches with Simmons also taking on the title of recruiting coordinator.
Simmons comes to Troy after spending one season at Louisiana Tech. In her one season with the Lady Techsters, Simmons worked under legendary college and WNBA player Teresa Weatherspoon, now the head coach at Louisiana Tech, her alma mater. Prior to her lone season at Louisiana Tech, Simmons spent two very successful seasons at Trinity Valley Community College.
In addition to assistant coach, Simmons was the recruiting coordinator for Trinity Valley and signed two nationally ranked recruiting classes. Both teams advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship game while Simmons was in Athens, Texas.
The 2011-12 Trinity Valley squad, which included NJCAA National Player of the Year Sha’Kayla Caples and Kodak All-American Keuna Flax, won the NJCAA National Championship after defeating Rigby’s Pensacola State team in the national semifinals.
Simmons, a Baton Rouge, La., native, began her coaching career in 2008-09 as an assistant coach at Louisiana-Lafayette and was named the Ragin’ Cajuns recruiting coordinator in 2009-10.
Her coaching career followed a successful playing career that concluded with two NCAA Tournament appearances at Louisville in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Simmons played in 30 games for the Cardinals in 2007-08, helping UL to the Big East title game and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
Simmons played at Tulane and Trinity Valley to begin her career before transferring to Louisville for her final two seasons
Ryan comes to Troy after spending the last six seasons in the ACC, including two as a full-time staff member, mostly at North Carolina State. Ryan was an interim assistant coach for the Wolfpack following the 2012-13 season before arriving in Troy.
During his time in Raleigh, N.C., Ryan also served in full-time roles as assistant to internal women’s basketball operations (2012-13) and an assistant video coordinator (2011-12).
In February 2012, Ryan joined the Georgia Tech women’s basketball staff and head coach MaChelle Joseph as a scouting coach, helping the Yellow Jackets to the ACC Championship Game and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
Ryan was introduced to women’s basketball as an undergraduate at NC State, serving as a manager from 2007 to 2011, including two seasons under legendary coach Kay Yow. Ryan also served as the Wolfpack video intern during his final season as a manager.
During his combined six seasons in the ACC, Ryan was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams and three WNIT teams.
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