In a surprising turn of events, the University of Memphis has parted ways with Alex Simmons, the head coach of their women's basketball team. Simmons, a former national champion with the Lady Vols under the legendary Pat Summitt, was at the helm of the Tigers since the 2023-24 season. Unfortunately, her tenure ended with a 30-61 record.
Simmons' journey with the Tigers began with promise, posting a 13-17 record in her inaugural season, including a balanced 9-9 in conference play. However, the following years saw a decline, with the team finishing 7-23 and then 10-21 in her final season. Notably, Simmons scheduled a home-and-home series against her alma mater, Tennessee, but the Tigers fell short in both matchups.
As the program looks to the future, Shalon Pillow will step in as interim head coach during the search for a new leader. Athletic Director Ed Scott emphasized the university's commitment to excellence and the importance of this transition.
"After a thorough evaluation, we believe it's the right time for a change in leadership," Scott stated. "Our goal is to build a program that competes at the highest level and embodies the pride of the Memphis community.
We appreciate Coach Simmons' dedication and wish her all the best."
Simmons' basketball journey is storied. At Tennessee from 2004 to 2009, she was a pivotal part of two national championship teams, playing alongside greats like Candace Parker.
Her transition to coaching was swift, starting as a graduate manager at Kansas, then moving to MTSU as an assistant in 2010. By 2013, she joined Ole Miss, continuing her assistant coaching career until 2018.
Her first head coaching role came at Gardner-Webb, where she achieved significant success, boasting an 89-58 record and clinching the Big South title in 2023, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament. While her time at Memphis didn't yield the same results, her impact on the sport and her players remains undeniable.