Simmons joined the Trine coaching staff prior to the 2015 season and assists with the running backs.

In his first season, Simmons coached Thunder running back Mark Wilson to second-team All-MIAA honors. Under Simmons' guidance, Wilson turned in two of the top three rushing performances in a game in school history during the 2015 season, including a 327 yards in a victory over nationally-ranked foe Albion. Trine running backs combined for three of the top 10 rushing performances in a game in team history under Simmons.

Simmons had a guiding hand in helping Trine set a program record in rushing yards per game in 2016. Lamar Carswell finished the season ranked second in the nation in yards per carry. The Thunder set a school record with 537 rushing yards in a win over Concordia.

In 2017, Trine led the MIAA in yards per game (475.0), total rushing yards (3,955), rushing yards per game (329.6), total offense (5,700 yards) and scoring (44.3 points per game).  Nationally, Trine's 329.6 yards per game on the ground ranked fourth most in NCAA Division III.  In addition, Trine's offense ranked in the top-10 in the nation in team passing efficiency (3rd - 186.7) and scoring offense (6th - 44.3 ppg.). 

During the 2018 campaign, Trine had one of the best running attacks in NCAA Division III with 304.8 yards per game on the ground which ranked as the fourth-highest nationally.  The Thunder also had the 13th-best scoring offense that included 66 touchdowns with 40 of those being rushing.  In total, the Thunder rushed for 3,353 yards which was second to the 2017 season for the most in program history during a single year. Indiividually, Trine boasted the nation's leading rusher in Lamar Carswell who rushed for a school single-season record 2,294 yards and a Trine single-season mark of 32 rushing TDs, surpassing his previous record set in 2017 (25).  In the conference, Trine led all teams in every rushing category including yards (3,353), attempts (497), yards per game (304.8) yards per carry (6.7) and rushing TDs (40).

In 2019, Trine's offense averaged 321.9 yards per game, including 188.6 yards on the ground which ranked fifth in the conference.  Trine racked up 300 or more yards of offense in five games, including two games of over 400 yards with a season-high 477-yard performance in a win against Finlandia (Mich.) University.

For three years, Simmons was a member of Master Training Program, established by USA Football and the National Football League to make football safer. Simmons plays an important role in educating coaches, players, parents and other staff on the safest ways to play football. Simmons is currently a member of the Player Safety Program. He has been involved in NFL/USA Football programs since 2010.

Simmons is a graduate of Johnson C Smith University, in Charlotte, N.C., where he majored in sport management.  He began his coaching career as an inside linebackers coach, the position he lettered in for the Division II Golden Bulls.  Simmons brings over 29 years of experience to the Thunder football family.

He played a huge role in the development of former NFL players Will Billingsly (Dolphins) Javon Barnes (Jets/NFL Europe). In 1999, Simmons coordinated the semi-pro combine in Nashville Tenn. This would bring semi-pro football players to northeast Indiana, and form the River City Rhinos semi-professional football team in Fort Wayne. Simmons served as the Offensive Line Coach in 1998, and served as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator 1999-2000.

Simmons won back to back semi-professional championships with the Allen County Explosion (2002-03). In 2011-2012 he served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the 5A Wayne Generals football program, in Fort Wayne.  He currently serves on the executive board for Metro Youth Sports, Inc. Simmons and his wife Jean have four children- Adam, Jamika, Chanetta, and Jamodi .