Troy University Athletics
Women’s Basketball Completes 2013-14 Coaching Staff
7/8/2013 2:37:00 PM | Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – Head coach Chanda Rigby and the Troy women's basketball program announced the completion of their 2013-14 coach staff on Monday. Courtney Simmons and Mike Ryan join Rigby's staff as assistant coaches with Simmons also taking on the title of recruiting coordinator.
In addition to assistant coach, Simmons was the recruiting coordinator for Trinity Valley and signed two nationally ranked recruiting classes. Both teams advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship game while Simmons was in Athens, Texas.
The 2011-12 Trinity Valley squad, which included NJCAA National Player of the Year Sha'Kayla Caples and Kodak All-American Keuna Flax, won the NJCAA National Championship after defeating Rigby's Pensacola State team in the national semifinals.
Simmons, a Baton Rouge, La., native, began her coaching career in 2008-09 as an assistant coach at Louisiana-Lafayette and was named the Ragin' Cajuns recruiting coordinator in 2009-10.
Her coaching career followed a successful playing career that concluded with two NCAA Tournament appearances at Louisville in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Simmons played in 30 games for the Cardinals in 2007-08, helping UL to the Big East title game and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
Simmons played at Tulane and Trinity Valley to begin her career before transferring to Louisville for her final two seasons.
"Courtney is proven as a player, a coach and definitely as a recruiter in the world of women's basketball," Rigby said. "I feel great about her taking the reins as our recruiting coordinator."
During his time in Raleigh, N.C., Ryan also served in full-time roles as assistant to internal women's basketball operations (2012-13) and an assistant video coordinator (2011-12).
In February 2012, Ryan joined the Georgia Tech women's basketball staff and head coach MaChelle Joseph as a scouting coach, helping the Yellow Jackets to the ACC Championship Game and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
Ryan was introduced to women's basketball as an undergraduate at NC State, serving as a manager from 2007 to 2011, including two seasons under legendary coach Kay Yow. Ryan also served as the Wolfpack video intern during his final season as a manager.
During his combined six seasons in the ACC, Ryan was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams and three WNIT teams.
"Mike is an important cog in the wheel in our plans of elevating the Troy women's basketball program," Rigby said. "Even though he is young, he has experience with high-level, successful women's basketball programs."
Simmons and Ryan complete the Trojans' 2013-14 staff, joining Rigby and associate head coach Jennifer Graf.
For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
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