Jacksonville University

Ali Simmons enters his fourth season as head coach of the Jacksonville men's soccer program in 2026 after guiding the Dolphins to one of the program's most successful and promising campaigns in recent memory.

The 2025 season saw Jacksonville advance to the ASUN Conference Semifinals, where the Dolphins ultimately fell in penalty kicks after posting a 6-7-5 overall record. Under Simmons' leadership, the program continued its upward trajectory both on the field and in the classroom.

The Dolphins earned a program-record six Academic All-ASUN selections while posting a 3.59 team GPA, the second-highest mark in program history. On the field, Juan Pablo Gonzalez became a First Team All-ASUN selection, while Jacksonville placed a program-record four student-athletes on the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Freshman Logan Hall made history by becoming the first ASUN Freshman of the Year in program history.

Since arriving in Jacksonville in 2023, Simmons has overseen steady growth throughout the program. In addition to the team's postseason success in 2025, the Dolphins earned a signature 3-0 road victory over nationally ranked Dayton in 2024, one of the most notable wins in recent program history.

Simmons arrived at Jacksonville after spending two seasons as Associate Head Coach at Elon. During his tenure with the Phoenix, Elon captured the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season championship, advanced to the CAA Tournament Championship match and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's first NCAA appearance since 2015.

While at Elon, Simmons helped coach 12 All-CAA selections, including the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. The program also produced five United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region selections, five Academic All-District honorees and an Academic All-American during his two-year tenure.

Prior to Elon, Simmons spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Seton Hall, helping guide the Pirates to the 2020 BIG EAST Championship and a run to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals.

Simmons also has strong ties to the state of Florida. He previously coached at Barry University, where he helped lead the Buccaneers to the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship. Before Barry, he was an assistant coach at the University of Charleston (W.Va.), helping the program capture the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship.

His coaching career began at his alma mater, Brunel University in London, where he ascended to head coach of the men's first team and was named Coach of the Year following the 2016-17 season.

Outside of collegiate coaching, Simmons has served as an analyst with Football Radar, helping develop world-leading scouting software. He has also held leadership positions with ProFootball Academies, Seashore Youth Soccer Leagues and the United States Sports Academy.

Simmons holds an NSCAA National Diploma and NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 1 certification. He also holds a UEFA B License and UEFA A Preparation Course certification.

A 2010 graduate of Brunel University, Simmons earned a degree in sport sciences.

He becomes the 12th head coach for one of the oldest programs on campus and one that won a conference championship and earned an NCAA berth most-recently in the 2021 spring season.
 
What they're saying about Ali Simmons:
 
"Ali will bring a level of professionalism and detail to the program that will no doubt elevate and bring success to the university"
 
- Tony Annan, Head Coach – South Carolina
 
"Ali is one of the best people I know. His coaching resume is one of the best around and it is not a coincidence that every team he has coached has won. I cannot wait to see where he takes the Jacksonville U Men's Soccer Program."
 
- Daniel Smee, Head Coach – University of Charleston, West Virginia
 
"Ali Simmons is a serial winner. Everywhere he has been he has won a championship and he had a major impact for our success at Seton Hall University. I believe Ali Simmons is one of the best young coaches in the country and JU are in great hands with Simmons at the wheel."
 
- Andres Lindberg, Head Coach – Seton Hall
 
"Elon Men's Soccer is extremely thankful to Ali for all he has done for our program, and we wish him the very best of success. Jacksonville is getting an incredible person and an amazing coach that has been a vital part to many successful seasons at various programs. Coach Simmons will lead by example on a daily basis with his positive approach and will get the very most from his players. I believe his personality, coaching style, tactical knowledge and preparation for games will mean players will enjoy their experience and be set up for success both on and off the field."
 
- Marc Reeves, Head Coach – Elon
 
"Ali has all the qualities necessary to bring success to Jacksonville's Men's Soccer program. His astute soccer IQ and personable character traits will immediately resonate with the existing roster and prospective student athletes. Success has followed Ali to every program he has been a part of and I've no doubt Jacksonville will be any different!"
 
- Dan Stratford, Head Coach – West Virginia
 
"In the few years Ali was with us at Seton Hall, he had a tremendous impact on our program.  His success in recruiting and mentoring student-athletes on- and off-the-field will serve him well as he takes the next steps in his career as a head coach. I am thrilled for him and this exciting opportunity at Jacksonville."
 
- Bryan Felt, Athletic Director – Seton Hall
 
"Ali has been hugely influential at every program he has been at and success has followed him everywhere he has been. His time at Seton Hall coincided with their rise to national prominence, and I expect that he'll be hugely successful at Jacksonville."
 
- Brian Wiese, Head Coach – Georgetown
 
"Jacksonville University's hire of Ali Simmons is one of those choices that will, like all great coaches, prove its wisdom in the future even as it's wise in the now. As a leader and innovator there are hardly rivals to Ali. As a person, in the category of character, trustworthiness and integrity, Ali Simmons fits in the upper echelon of those in our lives we look up to. I am thrilled for Ali and for Jacksonville!"
 
- Steve McCrath, Head Coach – Wheaton College