Harding University Athletics

AT HARDING
Paul Simmons served as Harding’s 13th head football coach from 2017-2025, orchestrating the most successful era in the program's history. In January 2026, Simmons transitioned to the newly created role of General Manager of Harding Football, where he focuses on program sustainability, fundraising, roster management, and community engagement.

During his nine seasons as head coach, Simmons compiled a career record of 92-16 (.852), establishing one of the highest winning percentages in the history of college football.

Coaching Highlights:

• National Champion: Led the Bisons to the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship, the first in Harding history, with a 38-7 victory over Colorado School of Mines.

• National Runner-Up: Guided the 2025 squad to a school-record 15 wins (15-1), a No. 2 national ranking, and an appearance in the 2025 National Championship game.

• Coach of the Year: A two-time National Coach of the Year. He was named the 2023 AFCA National Coach of the Year and the Don Hansen National Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2025. He is also a multi-time Great American Conference Coach of the Year.

• Conference Dominance: Harding won four GAC championships under his leadership (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025) and never finished lower than second in the conference standings.

• Postseason Success: Harding reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs seven times in his nine seasons, compiling a 16-6 playoff record. His teams reached the national semifinals three times (2017, 2023, 2025) and the Super Region 3 finals in 2024.

• Rankings: Harding finished the season ranked in the AFCA Top 25 every season of his tenure, topping out at No. 1 in 2023 and No. 2 in 2025.

• Player Development: Simmons coached numerous All-Americans and GAC Players of the Year. In 2025 alone, running back Andrew Miller was a Harlon Hill finalist, and the team set NCAA all-division records for rushing yards and touchdowns.

Simmons spent the previous 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Harding, joining the staff in 2006. He became Harding’s assistant head coach in 2008 and the defensive coordinator in 2010.

In total, Simmons has coached in 26 Harding postseason games, spanning roles as an assistant and head coach.

BEFORE HARDING
Before coming to Harding, Simmons coached at Harding Academy of Memphis for eight seasons, compiling a 51-38 record and leading the Lions to six state playoff trips. Led by Simmons, Harding Academy, who had never won a playoff game, advanced to the state semifinals four times.

Simmons served as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at Harding University from 1997-98.

He was defensive coordinator and assistant track coach at Harding Academy of Memphis during the 1996-97 school year.

PLAYING CAREER
Simmons was a three-time All-America honoree at Harding University as a linebacker and defensive end. He compiled 415 career tackles (second all-time at HU) and 18.0 sacks (fourth all-time at HU) and was inducted into the Harding Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999. Simmons is the only Harding football player ever to earn first team All-America honors three times.

EDUCATION
Simmons earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from Harding University in 1995.

FAMILY
A native of Ashdown, Arkansas, he is married to the former Kimberly Hatcher of Jackson, Tennessee. The couple have three children.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Ashdown (Arkansas) HS, quarterback/linebacker (1988-90) Harding, defensive end/linebacker (1991-94)

COACHING EXPERIENCE
1996-97: Harding Academy (Tennessee), defensive coordinator 1997-98: Harding, graduate assistant 1998-2005: Harding Academy (Tennessee), head coach 2006-09: Harding, defensive line coach 2010-16: Harding, defensive coordinator/defensive line coach 2017-2025: Harding, head coach 2026-present: Harding, general manager