ANDERSON, S.C. - Former Anderson University women's basketball standout Sierra Simpson has been added to the AU coaching staff for the upcoming 2015-16 season, announced by head coach Jimmy Garrity on Wednesday.
"We are thrilled to have Sierra join our basketball staff," Garrity said. "She is a tremendous addition to our program and a great ambassador for Anderson University. Sierra has been such a big part of our program's success over the past four seasons. I have enjoyed watching her grow as a player, person, teammate and leader. Her leadership qualities and enthusiasm will be an invaluable asset to our players and program. I'm so happy that she will continue to be on the sideline representing AU."
"I am extremely happy and excited to have a position on this great coaching staff," Simpson said. "I have learned a lot as player from Coach Garrity and Coach (Mike) Merrill and I look forward to continuing to develop as a young coach. Anderson University and our women's basketball program have been such a huge part of my life and given me so many opportunities. I am proud to continue to represent AU and look forward to further developing the current players and the incoming freshman class on and off the court."
Simpson is coming off a 2014-15 season where she was tabbed South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 10.7 points per game, 5.9 rebounds and a conference-high 4.6 assists per contest. Simpson concluded her career ranking 11th in the program's all-time scoring list (1,049), sixth in rebounds (635), third in assists (444), third in steals (237) and third in games started (118). The point guard was also named to the Daktronics All-Southeast Region Second Team, the Southeast Regional All-Tournament Team and the SAC All-Tournament Team during the postseason.
This April, Simpson was a part of the "So You Want To Be A Coach" program, held by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) during the WBCA National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Simpson was one of three student-athletes from the SAC to be a part of the annual program, which gave prospective coaches a way to network with current coaches from across the country. A month later, Simpson earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Anderson.
Simpson joins a staff that has recorded a 43-19 (.694) record in their two seasons with the Black and Gold. Garrity led Anderson to a 27-5 record in 2014-15, headlined by becoming the first women's basketball program to win 20 conference games in SAC history. Prior to the start of Anderson's NCAA Tournament run, Garrity was named SAC Coach of the Year, becoming the second Trojan coach to earn the honor (Jim Brunelli - 2013).
