Ben Davis football coach Jason Simmons has coached his last game as a Giant.

“This was one of the most challenging decisions I have made,” Simmons said of his decision to leave Ben Davis. “We have a great administration, great support from the community, a great coaching staff, and great student-athletes. To leave this group is tough.”

Simmons was contacted within the last week about a new coaching opportunity. He has not finalized the contract so is not ready to announce his next destination, other then it is not another high school. He will not finish the year at Ben Davis.

Simmons was 31-28 in five seasons at BD, including three trips to the semistate.

“We shared the MIC title one time and won it outright one time.,” he said. “We went to three straight semistates. Just as important was the opportunity to be around great people, work in a place where football is valued, and be a part of a special program.”

Simmons has had two stints at BD, serving as assistant coach and assistant athletic director before leaving in 2011 and he was also the department chair of the physical education department for the last five years.

“I have a lot of great memories in our program,” Simmons aid. “The 2006 win over Penn, the 2008 run to the semistate, helping to coach three (or more) future NFL players, and the past five years have been full of accomplishments and memories.”

The 2023 Giants are expected to compete for a state title and will play two games against out-of-state opponents.

“The program is in great shape because of the player driven leadership led by our class of 2024, the adults in the program, and the administrative support for the program,” Simmons said. “The program will continue to be carried at a high level and achieve great things moving forward.”