KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has named Harding University General Manager and former head football coach Paul Simmons as the recipient of the 2026 Frosty Westering Coach of the Year Award.
Named in honor of Forrest "Frosty" Westering, the legendary Pacific Lutheran University football coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, the award recognizes a football coach who exemplifies Christian principles and actively supports the FCA while coaching at a non-Division I institution. The honor also considers the success and performance of the coach's team during the season.
"Coach Simmons' love for the Lord and commitment to putting Jesus first in his life are just two of the many reasons why he exemplifies the legacy of 'Frosty' Westering," said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. "He demonstrates this in his family life and church community, as well as how he leads his football players on and off the field."
Simmons, who recently transitioned to the role of General Manager after nine seasons as head coach, has made the spiritual development of his players the cornerstone of the program. He continued the "Honor God" motto established by his predecessor, Ronnie Huckeba, making it the daily standard for the Bisons.
"The foundation of Harding football and the goal on day one of fall camp is very simple — We are on a mission to try to have the very best culture in all of college football," Simmons said. "Here at Harding, we define having the 'best culture' by doing everything in our power to do things in a manner that will Honor God. We believe that the following things honor God: extreme loyalty, high accountability, spirit of selflessness, spirit of gratefulness, tremendous work ethic and an understanding that true leadership is about washing feet."
Under Simmons' leadership, the Bisons compiled a 92-16 record (.852), winning the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship and finishing as the national runner-up in 2025, recording a school-record 15 wins in each season.
However, Simmons views this accolade through a different lens than his on-field trophies.
"Being honored with the FCA Frosty Westering Football Coach of the Year Award is without a doubt the highest professional honor of my coaching career," Simmons said. "I have always had a great desire for my coaching legacy to be centered around my desire to help my young men know Christ and ultimately to be in heaven with them someday. Memories of win totals and championships won, those things fade extremely quickly. However, a legacy of modeling Christ to generations of young men is worth more than silver and gold. This truly is the highest honor that I could ever hope to receive."
Simmons has consistently integrated the FCA into the life of the program. In 2021, he helped launch "Harding Football Game Day," which includes a worship rally prior to games. He ensures all student-athletes have free admission to games and tailgating spots, and he encourages players to serve and speak at local FCA Huddles.
"He always gathers us together as a team at the beginning of each practice to motivate us, challenge us and to make sure we don't get complacent," said junior running back Andrew Miller. "Coach Simmons brings elite energy to practice every day, showing us by example how to be elite players and men. It's more than just winning games with Coach Simmons; he wants us to win in life."
