Avery Johnson Tabs Bob Simon as Associate Head Coach

Alabama head coach Avery Johnson announced Monday the addition of Bob Simon as associate head coach. Simon, who was most recently the associate head coach at Providence, brings more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Crimson Tide.

“We are excited about the addition of coach Bob Simon as associate head coach at the University of Alabama,” Johnson said. “I first met Bob when he attended one of my coaching chalk talks during my time as an NBA coach and I was immediately impressed with his basketball IQ. Bob brings a tremendous coaching resume to our program, along with a vast amount of experience in the area of recruiting and talent assessment. He has done an incredible job under head coach Ed Cooley at Providence over the last four years, helping them reach the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis.

“Bob is a man that has a high level of character and integrity. He also shares the same vision we have of being the best program, not only for the athlete but also for the student. We are excited to welcome Bob and his wife Donna, along with their adult children, Devin and Bobbie.”

Simon echoed Johnson’s excitement and eagerness to begin his career at the Capstone.

“I am super excited about getting the opportunity to work at the University of Alabama and especially with coach Johnson,” Simon said. “I felt his passion when I visited Tuscaloosa last week. He has a vision for the program; he wants to win and he wants to do it the right way. That’s exactly what I am all about. He is going to be a tremendous recruiter. The way he recruited me convinced me of that. All I need to do is get him in front of the right people and he will close the deal. I am eager to get down there and get to work.”

During his four seasons at Providence, Simon has helped in helping the Friars make back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015, a BIG EAST Championship in 2014 and reach the NIT Quarterfinals in 2013. Moreover, he has been instrumental in helping bring in two top-25 recruiting classes in the last three years.

After spending his first three seasons under Providence head coach Ed Cooley as an assistant coach, Simon was promoted to the associate head coach position in August of 2014.

Prior to coming to Providence, Simon worked for five seasons as an associate head coach for Cooley at Fairfield. Simon helped lead the Stags resurgence, as the team posted a 92-69 record (.571) overall and a 58-32 mark (.578) in MAAC action. The 92 wins were the most ever at Fairfield over a five-year span.

In addition to his time at Fairfield and Providence, Simon spent six seasons (2000-06) at Toledo, including the last three years as the Rockets’ associate head coach.

Simon began his collegiate coaching career at Wayne State University, spending nearly a decade (1991-2000) with the Warriors. He coached the men's team for eight seasons - five seasons as an associate head coach and three seasons as an assistant coach.

Simon began his coaching career in the high school ranks where he gained 10 years of experience. He coached at Thurston High School in Redford, Mich., for six years and he was the varsity head coach for four years at Anderson High School in Southgate, Mich.

Simon received his bachelor's degree in manufacturing technology from Eastern Michigan University in 1989, and his master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State in 1997. Simon and his wife Donna have a daughter, Bobbie, and a son, Devin.

Along with announcing Simon, Johnson also announced that he has retained strength and conditioning coach Lou DeNeen. DeNeen, who will enter his third season at Alabama, joins assistant coach Antoine Pettway on Johnson’s staff as hold overs from the previous staff.

“Coach Lou has done a tremendous job for our guys and is an asset to our program,” Johnson said. “We are excited that he will be with us next year and for years to come.”