HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Bill Simpson has been named head coach for men's and women's tennis at Coker College. He had served as interim head coach since December 2014.
"This is an amazing opportunity," Simpson said. "I cannot thank the Coker administration enough for the opportunity as a head coach. The support I have received since I arrived here – especially from Dr. Wyatt, Dr. Griffin and the other coaches – has been tremendous. I hope to continue to build on our past success and grow the Coker tennis programs into conference, regional and national contenders."
Under Simpson, the Cobra women had their best season in school history, finishing 6-5 in South Atlantic Conference play. The women also advanced to the conference championship quarterfinals. Bailey and Ragan Palmer earned second team All-SAC honors as a doubles team, while Bailey earned All-SAC second team honors for her singles play.
On the men's side, the Cobras fell just one match short of the SAC Championship, earning a seventh place finish in league standings. William Marrafao and Mark Watt both earned All-SAC honors. Marrafao was a second team selection and Watt was an honorable mention selection.
"Bill has shown that he is a great addition to the Coker coaching staff," said vice president of athletics and facilities Dr. Lynn Griffin. "I feel confident that he can lead both our men's and women's programs to success on and off the court."
A 2013 Coker graduate, Simpson returned to his alma mater after spending a year as the assistant men's tennis coach at the Citadel. Prior to his time at the Citadel, Simpson served as assistant coach for the Coker men's and women's teams for two seasons, where he helped led the men's team the 2013 Conference Carolinas championship. During his time at Coker he also helped guide the women to their third consecutive conference tournament appearance.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Simpson was the assistant tennis professional at the Greenwood Country Club in Greenwood, S.C. He also spent summers from 2006-10 at the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in Hilton Head where he taught private lessons and group clinics.
He played collegiate tennis for the Cobras, earning his bachelor's degree in physical education and sports studies with a sports management concentration in Dec. 2013.