By: Chad Baker
On February 14, the newest class of the 10th Region Hall of Fame was announced. Among the ten newest members of the class was former Pendleton County boy's head coach Chad Simms.
Simms' coaching career began in 1999 at Mason County as an assistant under legendary head coach Kelly Wells. "I was working one evening at a store called Sport Sensation and he (Wells) came in with his wife and I asked him what the possibilities would be if I could join his staff? He did not even hesitate to say yes and he had me meet him at the Fieldhouse the next day, where he gave me a polo shirt and a coaching bag. I’ll never forget what Coach Wells saying yes to me has meant for not only coaching but for my life in general. I can never thank him enough." said Simms.
After two seasons with the Royals, Simms was going to take some time away from coaching to focus on school. Then over the summer, something happened. "Coach Buddy Biggs kept calling me over the summer asking me if I would be interested in coaching freshmen at Pendleton County. At first I was hesitant however this was another God moment that Coach Biggs was calling me and asking me to be a part of his staff. He is another one that I can never thank enough. I would not be where I am today has it not been for those two believing in me." Simms said. Coach Simms was an assistant under Coach Biggs for five seasons and in 2005, Pendleton County won their first regional championship in 34 years and only the third ever in school history.
After the 2005-06 season, Simms took over as head coach of the Wildcats. In his six seasons, Coach Simms led Pendleton County to 38th District championships in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2010, the Wildcats made it to the 10th Region semifinals, where they lost to host and eventual state semifinalist Mason County 65-52. The next season proved to be Simms' best coaching job during his tenure. Pendleton entered the 38th District tournament with an 11-17 record. In the first round, they avenged an earlier season loss to Deming, defeating the Black Devils 49-37. The Wildcats won the 38th District championship, defeating the Thorobreds of Harrison County 61-60 in Cynthiana. Pendleton County won their first game of the 10th Region tournament, defeating Montgomery County 74-70 in overtime. In the semifinals, the Wildcats defeated host Mason County 60-56, avenging a 25-point loss earlier in the season. Their Cinderella run would end at the hands of region favorite George Rogers Clark 62-40. At the end of the 2011-12 season, Simms ultimately made the decision to step away from coaching. "Once I made the decision to stop coaching, I really just wanted to completely step away. I of course supported the Wildcats and wanted them to win but even when I was an Assistant Principal and later Principal of the high school, I really tried to leave the coaching part behind during that time." Simms added
Coach Simms reflected back on his time as the Wildcats' head coach. "I never took my time at Pendleton County for granted. Pendleton County is a special place for me. Those were some of the best years of my life. I met so many great people and was blessed to coach so many great players. God has a way of knowing what’s best and really just tried to let him lead me. Thankfully if was at Pendleton County. I think we were able to achieve a lot but none of my success would have happened without great players and parents. I had players who absolutely gave me and the program everything they had. It was not easy and we expected a great deal from them but I think they would tell you the hard work paid off. Also, Jon Wirth, Brent Sowder, Craig Smith, Chris Stapleton and Brad Cox were way better coaches than I was. Those guys made me so much better because of their passion and love for basketball and coaching."
"I always wanted to be remembered for giving everything I had to my players. It was so much more than wins or losses for me. I wanted to try and be a small part of these kids lives to help them be a better version of themselves. I was just blessed to have been able to use basketball to try and do that. I also hoped to use basketball and coaching to make my family proud of me. I wanted them to see and have the same passion I had for their own lives." Simms reflecting on his legacy as a coach.
Coach Simms had plenty to thank for his coaching success. "I have so many to thank. My wife Melody, my kids Gracie and Monroe, parents Eddie Simms and Denise Gallagher. Of course Buddy Biggs and Kelly Wells. Jim Macht, Wayne Heringer and Mike Miller as well. I cannot name all of the players because I would leave someone off, the parents who supported me along the journey. I'd like to also thank Gary Dearborn and Tom Woofter. Man I could go on naming names. There are just so many who have impacted my life in ways that they never knew they did."
Coach Simms was quite grateful but surprised that he was even considered for the 10th Region Hall of Fame. "The HOF is a tremendous honor and I’m full of joy and happiness to be a part of the 10th region HOF. To be joining a list with so many great is an amazing honor. Honestly I never thought that this day would come and I certainly never thought about the hall of fame when I was coaching. So for this to be happening to me is truly one of the great joys of my life." Simms concluded. Simms will be the fourth Wildcat coach inducted into the 10th Region Hall of Fame, joining Buddy Biggs, Gary Turner and Phillip Wood.