WORCESTER, Mass. – Clark University Athletics announced today that Head Men's Basketball Coach Tyler Simms has accepted an assistant men's basketball coaching position at Bucknell University following seven seasons at Clark.
Simms departs Clark after seven seasons leading the Cougars, a tenure that helped restore Clark basketball's strong history and enstill a winning culture. Since being named head coach in June 2019, Simms compiled a 91-68 overall record, guided the program to five consecutive NEWMAC Tournament appearances from 2022-26, reached two NEWMAC Championship games, won the NEWMAC Championship in 2025, and reached the NCAA Tournament (2025).
"Our family is thrilled about the opportunity to join a prestigious university and basketball program at Bucknell, but it is emotional to leave a place that we have called home for the past seven years in Clark," said Simms. "We have accomplished success both on and off the court, and have established relationships that we will stay with us for our entire lives. What makes Clark truly special is the people - the alumni, the administration, the coaches, and most importantly the student-athletes. We will truly miss this incredible institution and community, and we will always be cheering for the Cougars!"
"Tyler has had a tremendous impact on our men's basketball program and the Clark community," said Director of Athletics and Recreation
Trish Cronin. "His commitment to student-athlete development, competitive excellence, and building a championship culture helped elevate our program to new heights. Through his leadership, dedication, and vision, our men's basketball program experienced one of the most successful stretches in recent history, highlighted by five consecutive NEWMAC Tournament appearances, a conference championship, and a return to the NCAA Tournament. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him and his family continued success at Bucknell."
Under Simms' leadership, Clark captured the 2025 NEWMAC Championship, the program's first conference title since 2010, earning the Cougars their 17th appearance in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament. The championship season was highlighted by an 80-65 victory over WPI in the NEWMAC Championship game after topping Coast Guard 71-53 in the NEWMAC Semifinals. The team took on Keene State in the Round of 64 and played a competitive 40 minutes against the Owls. The squad featured a trio of All-NEWMAC selections in
Bruce Saintilus,
Kekoa McArdle, and
Isaiah Taylor. Saintilus also earned D3hoops.com All-Region and NABC All-District honors, while McArdle was named the NEWMAC Student-Athlete of the Year.
The Cougars enjoyed historic success during the 2023-24 campaign, posting a 20-7 overall record and a program-best 13 conference victories. Clark advanced to the NEWMAC Championship game with a Semifinal victory over Emerson and reached the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2002-03 season. The Cougars earned their first NEWMAC Tournament victory since 2010 with a dramatic 73-71 NEWMAC Quarterfinal win over Wheaton in the 2022-23 campaign.
During the 2025-26 season, Simms helped guide Clark to its fifth consecutive NEWMAC Tournament appearance.
Aliaun Iscandari, John Boluwasefe, and
Quentin Pridgen each earned All-NEWMAC Second Team honors, continuing the program's tradition of excellence. Senior
Reid Neumann became the sixth player under Simms to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
While coaching the scarlet and white, Simms coached seven all-conference players in Biko Gayman, Taylor, Saintilus, McArdle, Iscandari, John, and Pridgen. Taylor was named NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2022. Simms also added Mikey Lynch, from a local nonprofit organization, You're With Us, to the team during the 2019-20 season. His teams participated in community service events at Columbus Park and the local Worcester community. He also coached at the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Academy.
Prior to arriving at Clark, Simms spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Brown University, where he helped the Bears achieve one of the most successful periods in program history, including a 20-win season and the program's first postseason tournament victory. He also served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Trinity College, helping guide the Bantams to a NESCAC regular-season championship and an NCAA Division III Elite Eight appearance.
A 2008 graduate of Trinity College, Simms was a four-year member of the men's basketball program and served as team captain during his senior season. His coaching experience also includes stops at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Mercyhurst University, and Siena College.
Simms at Clark University
- Seven seasons (2019-2026)
- 91-68 overall record
- 48-41 NEWMAC record
- Five consecutive NEWMAC Tournament appearances
- 2025 NEWMAC Champions
- 2024 NEWMAC Runner-Up
- NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025
- Three 18+ win seasons
- Program's first NEWMAC Championship since 2010
- Program's first 20-win season since 2002-03
