Wallace State Community College has hired Joseph Simmons to lead the women’s basketball team, President Dr. Vicki Karolewics announced this week. 

“We are proud to welcome Coach Simmons back to Wallace State and look forward to his continuing the tradition of winning for the Lady Lions,” Karolewics said. 

Simmons previously served as assistant coach to the men’s basketball team from 2006-2010 under former coach Allen Sharpe, who is now the women’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. 

Before his first stint coaching at Wallace State, Simmons was the varsity boys basketball coach at East Poinsett County Schools in Lepanto, Ark., from 2004-06. 

After leaving Wallace State in 2010, he served as the varsity girls basketball coach at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky. (2010-17) and varsity girls basketball coach at Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, Tenn. from 2017-2022.

He returns to Wallace State after most recently serving as varsity girls basketball coach at Green Hill High School in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. 

“I am extremely humbled and honored to be named the head women’s basketball coach at Wallace State,” Simmons said. “I want to thank Dr. Karolewics for entrusting me with leading the women’s basketball program. I look forward to building upon the history and tradition of success of this program. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and starting the process of building relationships with them. 

“Wallace State is a special place, and my family and I are excited to be back,” he added. “My wife and I moved here right after we got married. We had our first child while I was previously coaching at Wallace State. My wife is an alumnus of WSCC. So, it definitely feels like we are coming home. I’m ready to hit the ground running.” 

Simmons takes over a team that finished last season 25-6 and runner-up in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) South District/Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Championships. The Lady Lions own six ACCC titles and have made six appearances at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I national tournament. 

Simmons’ career record is 483-171 between 16 years coaching high school (363-156) and four years as assistant at Wallace State (120-15). 

Simmons holds master’s degrees from the University of the Cumberlands and United States Sports Academy, a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and an associate’s degree from Crowley’s Ridge College.