American University hired Washington, D.C., native and former Maryland men’s basketball star Duane Simpkins as its new men’s basketball coach on April 1.
Simpkins, 49, played basketball at DeMatha Catholic High School and was a three-time honorable mention All-ACC selection at Maryland. He takes over the position after former head coach Mike Brennan parted ways with the university after 10 years as head coach.
Simpkins stated that coaching in the D.C. area is ideal, as he can be with his wife Kirsten and three kids Kai, Darian and Elijah right at home.
“God saw fit that this particular job at this particular time was going to be best for me,” Simpkins said on Glenn Clark Radio April 7. “I very well could have been a head coach three or four years ago. Maybe it’s not the best situation. Maybe I wasn’t prepared for it.”
Simpkins played at Maryland from 1992-1996, posting 1,123 points and 483 assists. He was the Terps’ starting point guard during his final three seasons in College Park. After college, Simpkins played professional basketball in the United States and overseas. He ended his playing career in China in 2003.
Simpkins comes to American after eight seasons as an assistant at George Mason University. He helped guide the Patriots to a 20-13 overall record and 11-7 mark in the Atlantic 10 in 2022-23. Head coach Kim English took the Providence job following the season.
Simpkins mentioned that it was huge to have former American coaches Gary Williams and Chris Knoche supporting him at his introductory news conference. Williams, Simpkins’ coach at Maryland, led American’s program from 1978-1982.
Simpkins explained why this was a special moment for the two, as he is following in Williams’ footsteps.
“I think it was not just him being there, but you could feel his energy, man, and his enthusiasm for me and what I was actually experiencing at the time. That was the real cool thing,” Simpkins said. “… He was super excited.”
Simpkins mentioned how he feels comfortable coming to American due to his experience as a high school basketball head coach in the area. He was the head coach at Sidwell Friends School from 2005-2007 and St. Albans School from 2007-2011.
Simpkins’ goal and vision at American is to push his players to value a high-level education. He also wants to push them to be high-level Division I basketball players. The 2023-24 college basketball season will begin in early November. Simpkins is eager to start working with his team.
“I know that I’ve got every faith in [God] that he’s put me in a position that I’m going to be around some great people,” Simpkins said. “I’m going to have a great staff and I’m at home. I never would have guessed that my first head coaching job was going to be right here at home.”
For more from Simpkins, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Mitchell Layton/American Athletics