Luke Simons joined the Commodores in April of 2016 as the Director of Scouting after spending one season with Bryce Drew at Valparaiso in the same capacity, where he helped the Crusaders to a single-season win record, a Horizon League championship, and a postseason NIT finals appearance.
“Coach Simons has a very good background in basketball operations from his previous positions,” said Drew. “He is extremely organized and efficient while handling big workloads.”
Before beginning his tenure with Drew in 2015 at Valparaiso, Simons spent nearly a decade working with Athletes in Action as an international team director and coach, as well as a regional coordinator. In his time with AIA, Simons helped assemble and direct multiple international competitive tours throughout Europe and Asia. He also created Captains Camp, an AIA leadership initiative to serve influencers in basketball.
“My wife and I could not be more thrilled to join the Vanderbilt family and its rich history of excellence in athletics and academics,” said Simons. “We look forward to making Nashville our home, and are excited to carry the Vanderbilt tradition of excellence throughout the country. Anchor Down!”
Outside of AIA, Simons served as director of operations for the USA team at the last three World University Games and helped found the International Basketball Coaches Experience, held annually at the NCAA Final Four. He also brings a good deal of coaching experience with him, having worked as an assistant coach and director of player development for the Mongolian national team – which he helped lead to the final round of 2015 Asian Games – since 2012. Simons also previously spent one season as interim head coach at Black Hawk College and five years as an assistant coach at West Lafayette H.S.
The Simons File
High School: Shelbyville High School
College: Purdue
Education:
B.A., Movement and Sports Science
Coaching Experience:
2001-2006: West Lafayette High School
2006-2007: Black Hawk College
2007-2012: Athletes in Action
2012-2014: Mongolian National Team
2015-2016: Valparaiso University
Hometown: Shelbyville, IN