Eric Simmons started his Kishwaukee College coaching career in 2021-2022 as the Head Coach for women’s softball. Simmons, a long-serving area youth softball coach, will take over the storied program with the goal of making it a top landing spot for local athletes.  “I have been involved in the area for a long time in softball, and I would really like to see the Kish program excel,” Simmons said. “My focus is to make Kish a destination for softball players from the area.”

Simmons has been coaching for 14 years and brings much of his experience from his work with the Sycamore Sycos, a travel softball program for teams ages 10-and-under to 18-and-under. The Sycamore Sycos were started nine years ago, and Simmons currently serves as the program director and has been the head coach for the 18-and-under team. During his time as director, the Sycos have found success at all program levels with tournament wins and national appearances. Simmons has also coached for another top tier historical travel program in the Northern Illinois Thunder and was the head coach for the girls program at the Illinois Math and Science Academy.

The Kish softball program will be Simmons first time coaching at the college level, but he said he has regularly worked with college recruits during his tenure with the Sycos.

“I think Kish is a natural fit for me. The Sycamore Sycos really draw a lot from the Kish district, and I have had a chance to work with a lot of the athletes,” Simmons said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity. At the 18-and-under level, I have coached numerous players that are at the college level. But this is another step up, and I am excited for the challenge.”

Scott Kawall, Kishwaukee College Athletic Director, saw Simmons strong ties to the local community as a strength and benefit to the program moving forward.

“Coach Simmons brings a great deal of softball experience working with high school and college-aged student-athletes. He also has a solid foundation in the Kishwaukee College community and connections with numerous high school programs and travel or club team programs that will assist in the recruiting process while also serving our district student-athletes,” Kawall said. “He shares a common focus and passion that we are looking to foster with the softball program and aligns with the mission of Kishwaukee Athletics. I am eager to see Coach Simmons take the program to higher levels.”

As the Kish softball team rebounds from two seasons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Simmons said an initial and long-term goal is to continue the program’s history of success on the field and in the classroom.

“The goal is to make Kish a competitive program year-in and year-out,” Simmons said. “We want to make sure each and every day we are growing and competing.  There are some great opportunities for top athletes in our area at Kish as a two-year college that would be the right fit for them,” Simmons said. “It’s a great fit for students looking to stay closer to home while getting immersed in college life. And we can offer these athletes out of a high school the opportunity to play right away.”

Simmons currently works and lives in Sycamore. He and his wife Kim have three daughters.