A New Chapter at Bucknell
Bucknell University announced this week that Tyler Simms will serve as an assistant coach for the Bison men's basketball program, bringing a wealth of experience from both Ivy League and Division III powerhouses.
Simms most recently headed the Clark University men's basketball team, guiding the Cougars to a conference championship in 2025 and earning a reputation for rapid program improvement. Under his leadership, Clark posted a 17‑win average over the past five seasons and captured the NEWMAC Tournament title.
Building on a Winning Legacy
His success at Clark follows a series of NEWMAC Tournament appearances in each of the last five years, a testament to his ability to develop talent and instill a winning culture.
Prior to Clark, Simms spent four seasons as an assistant at Brown University, where the Bears climbed to fourth place in the Ivy League during the 2018‑19 campaign. He also served on the staff at Trinity College, contributing to a NESCAC regular‑season title and an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight run in 2014‑15.
From Player to Coach
Simms’ playing days at Trinity were equally distinguished; he captained the Bantams in his senior year and helped the program to its first-ever NESCAC Tournament championship in 2007‑08, finishing with a 79‑25 record over his collegiate career.
Beyond the collegiate ranks, he has worked with Basketball LLC, a Springfield‑based organization that directs AAU and high‑school events for the Basketball Hall of Fame, and held a graduate assistantship at Mercyhurst University before moving into a director of operations role at Siena College.
A native of Massachusetts, Simms holds a degree in educational studies and remains committed to the holistic development of student‑athletes, a philosophy that aligns with Bucknell’s academic mission.