MEET JASON

• High school/colleges attended: Roncalli High School (1994 grad), Miami University (OH) (1999)
• Activities/sports in high school/college): Football (3-year letter winner, Indiana All-Star) and Basketball in high school. Played DL at Miami University (4-year letter winner)
• Family: Wife: Sara, Four Kids: Brady (13), Megan (11), Ashley (7), Connor (4)
• Favorite place to eat out: Buffalo Wild Wings
• Hobbies: Family, activities the Kids are involved in, watching sports
• Favorite musical artists: Various artists – depends on the setting, activity and mood

Jason Simmons was on the sidelines as Ben Davis won the 2014 state football championship. He was there again this past November as the Giants rolled to the 2017 state title in record-setting fashion.

This coming fall, Simmons will be on the sidelines each and every week as he becomes the schools 15th head football coach.

“I view this as an opportunity to add to the legacy of the coaches and players that have come before us,” Simmons said after being named the head coach during a March 19 school board meeting.

The “us” is the important part of that quote. While Simmons is the man in charge, he realizes he is only as good as the staff he puts around himself. To that end, he has been meeting with members of last years staff and is hoping to keep the program as similar as possible to last year.

Simmons is no stranger to Ben Davis. He was an assistant football coach here from 2006-09 and was our assistant athletic director from 2011-13. He started his coaching and teaching career at Hamilton Heights and was their head football coach from 2009-11. He spent the past two years as dean of students and head football coach at Noblesville.

Simmons is happy to be back.

“The opportunity to be a part of a special place that values the role athletics can play in the educational experience,” Simmons said of why he sought a return to Ben Davis. “ BD has been a special place for me since I first walked in the door in the spring of 2006.”

Simmons has already begun preparing for the next season. He spent most of spring break meeting with coaches and players and has begun after-school workouts four days a week.

“I am a blue collar coach that is focused on the relationships I have with my players and driving them to be as good as they can be,” Simmons said. “I will challenge them to get out of their comfort zone to grow as people. I want to use football as a platform to make a difference in the lives of young people.”

Simmons isn’t intimidated by the recent success of the Giants. Instead, he hopes to continue that success.

“I think fans can expect a team that plays hard,” Simmons said. “I cherish the opportunity to compete and represent the west side of Indy, and fielding a team that is ready to write their own story.”

Simmons is already writing his story.

“The transition has been like drinking from a fire hose,” he said. “I have had a lot of fun getting back on the westside and building on the relationships I have with the people at BD. I have met with quite a few assistants and will continue those meetings the week of April 9.”

The Giants open the season in August at home against Tech.