Reports – Simmons Not Expected to Return as UE Basketball Coach
Multiple media outlets in the Evansville area are reporting that the University of Evansville have decided to party ways with men's head basketball coach, Marty Simmons after 11 seasons.
Randy Moore of 14News was the first to report the story:
Pat Hickey, who covers UE sports for the Evansville Courier & Press confirmed Moore's report that the Athletic Department was expected to formally announce the dismissal on Wednesday.
Hickey attempted to get confirmation from UE Athletic Director, Mark Spencer, however Spencer reiterated an official statement would be coming from the University at some time Wednesday.
At approximately 5:20 p.m. Tuesday evening, Eyewitness News reported the decision to part ways was not mutual, and that Simmons had been fired.
According to Pat Hickey's report, Simmons, who attended UE and played for the Purple Aces from 1986-1988 after transferring from IU, was the sixth head coach in the program's history, compiling an overall record of 184-175, and recording the third most wins as a head coach.
The final straw on Simmons tenure is likely the fact he was unable to break the program's string of missing the NCAA Tournament which has now stretched to 19 seasons, according to Hickey.
In a follow up tweet, Moore also reported University officials have their eye on Evansville native, and former Harrison and IU standout, Calbert Chaney as the successor to Simmons.
[Source: 14News / Evansville Courier & Press / Eyewitness News / 44 News]