MONTREAT, N.C.— Head track & field coach Jacob Simms has been promoted to Director of Cross Country and Track & Field as announced by the Montreat College athletic department in early April.
 
Simms, who became the head track & field coach in the summer of 2022, led the Cavaliers to a pair of Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Outdoor Championships last season, including the first in Montreat women's track & field program history. For the titles, Simms' staff earned AAC Outdoor Track & Field Coaching Staff of the Year awards.
 
As a team, the men's track & field team garnered AAC Men's Team of Character recognition for the 2022-23 school year following its third consecutive outdoor conference championship. The women's side climbed to a program-high ninth position in the USTFCCCA NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index during the 2023 season, and both squads concluded the USTFCCCA NAIA Program of the Year standings in the top 25.
 
"We are grateful to Coach Simms for his strong desire and commitment to move into this director role. Early on in conversations, it was evident he was ready for this opportunity and had a great vision for the future of our programs," said Director of Athletics Garrett Jones. "His passion for seeing these programs pursue excellence in all areas was something that really stood out as we discussed the future of our cross country and track programs. He cares deeply about our student-athletes and aligns so well with our overall mission," noted Jones.
 
Prior to Montreat, Simms served as the head cross country coach for six years at Southern Wesleyan University. The Nashville native also assisted with distance athletes, and eventually jumps, on the track while with the Warriors. Before the time at SWU, Simms was the head track & field coach and assistant cross country coach at North Greenville University from 2012 through 2016.
 
As a college athlete, Simms competed at both the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and North Greenville, where he combined for eight all-conference honors. Academically, he graduated from NGU with a bachelor's degree in history in 2012.
 
Simms and the Montreat track & field teams continue their 2024 seasons with the Asheville Bulldog Invitational on Saturday.