Connor Simmons steps down as Cascade football coach for administration role

[Titan32]

 

[oldtimeqb]

Does the article say which school?  All I can see says "another school."    

[Titan32]

1 hour ago, oldtimeqb said:

Does the article say which school?  All I can see says "another school."    

It does not say.

[Bulldog Coach Olson]

Congrats to Coach Simmons!  Despite being rivals for 6 years, I'm proud to call you a friend as we grew in this profession together.  Good luck in your next chapter!

[jets]

22 hours ago, Titan32 said:

 

Bummer to lose a good/young Coach to the dark-side of Admin. See it happen all too often...do Coaches not realize their reach/influence is far more reaching as a Coach than an Admin??

I guess the all-mighty dollar remains undefeated. 

 

[Titan32]

9 minutes ago, jets said:

Bummer to lose a good/young Coach to the dark-side of Admin. See it happen all too often...do Coaches not realize their reach/influence is far more reaching as a Coach than an Admin??

I guess the all-mighty dollar remains undefeated. 

 

Have you not had your Snickers yet today?

[jets]

1 hour ago, Titan32 said:

Have you not had your Snickers yet today?

Because I don't like losing good coaches to Admin??

I'm confused?? 

[First_Backer_Inside]

It is frustrating, but gotta do what you gotta do for yourself and your family.

[Robert]

20 hours ago, jets said:

Because I don't like losing good coaches to Admin??

I'm confused?? 

Find him a sponsor.

[Coach Nowlin]

21 hours ago, jets said:

Because I don't like losing good coaches to Admin??

I'm confused?? 

So the same type of LEADERSHIP that allows Coaches to succeed on the FIELD OF PLAY cannot be parlayed into same sort of LEADERSHIP within an ENTIRE SCHOOL SYSTEM?   

Yea, you're going to have to miss me all the way on that one 

Why do so many HC get groomed to become ADMINS?   WILD I know... .  

Yea, lets not get free insurance in lieu of at best MAYBE a 10k stipend to be a HC of Football.    Mercy 

[jets]

5 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

So the same type of LEADERSHIP that allows Coaches to succeed on the FIELD OF PLAY cannot be parlayed into same sort of LEADERSHIP within an ENTIRE SCHOOL SYSTEM?   

Yea, you're going to have to miss me all the way on that one 

Why do so many HC get groomed to become ADMINS?   WILD I know... .  

Yea, lets not get free insurance in lieu of at best MAYBE a 10k stipend to be a HC of Football.    Mercy 

I never said Coaches don't make good Administrators - of course there is a correlation between skill sets (it's called LEADERSHIP) 

And I realize all the "perks" (higher salary, desk job, etc...) of the Admin role and understand those that leave Coaching for the Admin role

- however (in my opinion only) - I believe a Coach is remembered/has more of an impact that a Principal/Assistant Principal. 

If you want to chase the all mighty dollar and perks, makes sense and can't fault and won't fault anyone for that. 

If you're in it to truly have an impact/change lives - I believe a Coach has a broader reach. (That's not to say Principals/Assistant principals don't)

Again - just my opinion only. 

[Miner_Pride]

I m bit surprised too.  But Coach Simmons really had brought this Cascade program into the bright lights... only lost 1 game in 2 years.  You gotta go back to 2006 with Derrick Moyers 10-2 Cadets to see that type of success.  Coach Moyers went 18-4 in '05 and '06 but they never won a sectional.  We at Linton had a 5 year run facing Cascade from '99 to '03 winning 4 of those 5, but there was a clear improvement in all areas that eventually saw Cascade start winning. Then Moyers left, and it hit rock bottom again.  IN the next 13 seasons they had 1 winning season at 6-5.  Simmons came aboard in 2020, and it took a while to change the environment, 2 years at 6-15, but then back to back 6-5 seasons ending in an OT loss to Southmont in 2023....and the Mounties came to Linton and beat us in double OT, eventually losing in Semi State.   They've gone through some conference changes which didn't hurt not facing Triton Central, Monrovia, Lutheran and Scecina each year.  But the Cadets turned into a powerhouse in 2023 running the table to 10-0 til a heartbreaker of a 37-35 loss to Tri-West.  Then they truly ran the table last year, with revenge on Tri West 45-14, and deposing of Lawrenceburg, Gibson Southern and finally Luers to win their only state title in Football... which was also their 1st sectional, regional and Semi-state wins! 

Looking at what Cascade loses roster wise--- its a lot.  QB threw from 2,059 and 33 TDs... Trebley started all 4 years  at Cascade.  4700+ pass yard and 73 TDs.  They nearly had 3 1,000 yard rushers, but 2 graduate, and their top 3 receivers will be gone too.  They lose 36 rush TDs and 23 rec TDs in that group.  Defense will lose 8 of their top 11 tacklers, but do return their top guy in LB Turner, and it looks like the DB group is solid with top 4 in Interceptions being underclassmen (total of 16 picks).  

I remember making the trek to clayton a few times.... doing the Miner Broadcasts in both Radio and some basketball games on streams.  Great facilities at Cascade!!!  

 

[Coach Nowlin]

56 minutes ago, jets said:

I never said Coaches don't make good Administrators - of course there is a correlation between skill sets (it's called LEADERSHIP) 

And I realize all the "perks" (higher salary, desk job, etc...) of the Admin role and understand those that leave Coaching for the Admin role

- however (in my opinion only) - I believe a Coach is remembered/has more of an impact that a Principal/Assistant Principal. 

If you want to chase the all mighty dollar and perks, makes sense and can't fault and won't fault anyone for that. 

If you're in it to truly have an impact/change lives - I believe a Coach has a broader reach. (That's not to say Principals/Assistant principals don't)

Again - just my opinion only. 

Fair enough 

[PLACfan]

On 4/21/2026 at 10:41 AM, jets said:

Bummer to lose a good/young Coach to the dark-side of Admin. See it happen all too often...do Coaches not realize their reach/influence is far more reaching as a Coach than an Admin??

I guess the all-mighty dollar remains undefeated. 

 

Agree 100% to what JETS is saying here.  I can't/won't speak on these coach's decisions to move up to admin (money, insurance, ladder of success, etc) but the impact/outreach is NOT the same.  I think it's also worth noting that the days of coaches staying in the game for 15-20-30-40 years is gone.  These guys (or gals) are looking for a pay increase and change of pace.  One thing about Coach Simmons, dude went out on top! 

[1st_and_10]

3 minutes ago, PLACfan said:

Agree 100% to what JETS is saying here.  I can't/won't speak on these coach's decisions to move up to admin (money, insurance, ladder of success, etc) but the impact/outreach is NOT the same.  I think it's also worth noting that the days of coaches staying in the game for 15-20-30-40 years is gone.  These guys (or gals) are looking for a pay increase and change of pace.  One thing about Coach Simmons, dude went out on top! 

I don't know if it's even a pay raise... I mean sure we all work to make money and be able to live the lifestyle we want... but I think the "change of pace" is accurate.

Most of the small school guys it's 7 days a week+... youth programs, jr high programs, Freshman/JV..   The Stipend doesn't even come close to paying minimum wage for the hours they spend... Let alone the small stipends for Coordinators and what the volunteer coaches do.  It's an absolute grind.  Awfully tough to be a husband/father from May-November as a head football coach.  It's not just start in August with 2 a days and a few hours a week in the weight room like it was 25 years ago .  It's pretty much year-round now.  I think most absolutely LOVE coaching, but the burnout is a real thing.  

[coachpadgett71]

4 minutes ago, PLACfan said:

Agree 100% to what JETS is saying here.  I can't/won't speak on these coach's decisions to move up to admin (money, insurance, ladder of success, etc) but the impact/outreach is NOT the same.  I think it's also worth noting that the days of coaches staying in the game for 15-20-30-40 years is gone.  These guys (or gals) are looking for a pay increase and change of pace.  One thing about Coach Simmons, dude went out on top! 

I believe the primary piece that the general public does not consider is the time away from family, primarily a head coach's time away from their own kids. Speaking from experience, I can tell you the exact moment I knew I was going to take a sabbatical from the role of head coach. I was stuck in traffic on 465 after a spring workout with my team and I missed my son's first game up in the "A League." Seeing your significant other take on so much more so you can do what you love also takes a toll. You feel a responsibility to do the same for them. At some point, it hits us all, some at different points in life than others.

I would argue that Coach Simmons may have made his most impactful action during his tenure by letting them know that he was doing this for his family. He modeled what he has been preaching and he showed his players what matters most. They may not understand it now, but they will some day.

Thank you guys for keeping this board great and for supporting our players all across this great state!

[PLACfan]

56 minutes ago, 1st_and_10 said:

I don't know if it's even a pay raise... I mean sure we all work to make money and be able to live the lifestyle we want... but I think the "change of pace" is accurate.

Most of the small school guys it's 7 days a week+... youth programs, jr high programs, Freshman/JV..   The Stipend doesn't even come close to paying minimum wage for the hours they spend... Let alone the small stipends for Coordinators and what the volunteer coaches do.  It's an absolute grind.  Awfully tough to be a husband/father from May-November as a head football coach.  It's not just start in August with 2 a days and a few hours a week in the weight room like it was 25 years ago .  It's pretty much year-round now.  I think most absolutely LOVE coaching, but the burnout is a real thing.  

Totally agree with this.  However, Im not going to pretend like taking an admin job is any LESS of a headache, less time, less stress, less scrutiny, etc.  It is certainly a change of pace and some different scenery.  But when I see admin having to supervise a middle school volleyball game on a random Tuesday night (just an example) I dont see how that is better or more justified for being away from family than having practice or doing something football related.  Its the same but different haha! 

[Miner_Pride]

and I also would throw in the 'pressure'.... and I'm not sure that's the right word.  What I see is a lot of parental interference.  "My kid should be playing" type of thing.  the whole transfer situation now becomes a factor..even at small schools.  I've seen coaches win.. and win the right way... and still get groups of parents/friends/relatives start little packs to try and get him gone.  That HAS to nag a coach.  From the broadcast booth I hear it in the stands, and I hear it just hanging out.  I always think...man... i don't know why anyone would want to be in this profession.  

[Miner_Pride]

34 minutes ago, PLACfan said:

Totally agree with this.  However, Im not going to pretend like taking an admin job is any LESS of a headache, less time, less stress, less scrutiny, etc.  It is certainly a change of pace and some different scenery.  But when I see admin having to supervise a middle school volleyball game on a random Tuesday night (just an example) I dont see how that is better or more justified for being away from family than having practice or doing something football related.  Its the same but different haha! 

My Dad went from Coaching to Athletic Director, so all my high school and beyond years i remember how every night he had  to be somewhere at a gym or field or diamond... which he loved...but it wore him out.. those Monday night junior high games, or Saturday morning JV games.  These days they have assistants, and JV folks that cover those...but not back when! 

 

[vicvinegar]

3 hours ago, Miner_Pride said:

My Dad went from Coaching to Athletic Director, so all my high school and beyond years i remember how every night he had  to be somewhere at a gym or field or diamond... which he loved...but it wore him out.. those Monday night junior high games, or Saturday morning JV games.  THESE DAYS THEY HAVE ASSISTANTS, and JV folks that cover those...but not back when! 

 

I know at least for some, the Assistant ADs are HCs. So after practice ends at 5:00, I then get to head over to supervise a soccer game. In the "off-season", I get to supervise basketball or baseball. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but I can certainly see how some become burnout.