Jim Simmons was named the new boys basketball coach at Hopkinsville this morning. Simmons has been a longtime Assistant Coach at Graves Co. since 1992. Prior to that he spent time as the Head Coach at Crittenden Co. He has a career losing record as a Head Coach.

 

New Principal Jay Buckley hired Simmons. Both happen to be good friends and go way back. Buckley use to be the Head football Coach at Graves Co. during in which time Simmons was on the Graves Co. basketball staff.

 

This comes as no suprise to many within Hopkinsville High School. When Jim Simmons name was brought up 2-3 weeks ago many said then it was a done deal especially with the ties between him and Buckley.

 

The 3 finalist were:

 

1) Jim Simmons

2) Marty Cline Head Coach Madisonville Girls: who was the first to contact Hopkinsville and tried to make a late push.

3) Al Cooper Head Coach Clarksville Northeast

 

Other known applicants:

 

1) Tommy Wade: Longtime college Assistant and Hopkinsville native

2) Don Dillard: Head Coach Christian Co. girls

3) Terry Hayes former Hopkinsville Head Coach (withdrew a week ago)

 

Hopkinsville had 14 coaches apply for the Head Coaching job. Another 10-12 coaches from Kentucky or other states contacted Hopkinsville about the position.

Let's get on with it, hopefully things will be okay with this coach.

Simmons deserves to be given a FAIR chance by the fans. Some might not have agreed with the hire. But he's been a longtime assistant under one of the best Head Coaches around in my opinion in Allan Hatcher. He's been at a program that has won so he knows how to prepare to win. He is right now wanting to work quickly to put together his staff and crank up the summer program. He will also get support from the football coaches and other coaches at Hopkinsville.

 

New Principal Jay Buckley said he knew 12 days ago that Simmons was who he would hire. That was before they started doing interviews and that's gotten some comments from people.