Copper Mountain College (CMC) is pleased to announce Ken Simonds as the new head coach for the Fighting Cacti Women’s Basketball Team.
Devin Aye, Athletic Director and Men’s Head Basketball coach shared, “Ken Simonds will do a great job of recruiting locally, and putting in tireless work required of a second year athletics program. Coach Simonds has many contacts in the region which will help with the recruitment of talented student-athletes to CMC. We hit the jackpot with Ken, and the community will be excited to see his style of play. We are eager to see him build the women’s basketball program here at CMC”.
Ken Simonds joins CMC with 20 years of coaching experience. He spent the last five seasons as the men’s assistant coach at College of the Desert under head coach Henry Viveros. Coach Simonds implemented his fast break in conjunction with Viveros offenses that led the Roadrunners to a playoff appearance in the 14-15 season. The up tempo helped them become one of the highest scoring teams in the state.
Prior to his position at COD, Ken was the head coach at Palm Valley High School in Rancho Mirage for boys’ basketball for nine seasons. Under his guidance, the Firebirds reached the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons. The school of less than one hundred became a force in their division, being a perennial top ten team almost every year. Coach Simonds was named Majestic League Coach of the Year three times in his tenure at the school and also saw many of his players all named to CIF teams.
Coach Simonds has been a resident of the Coachella Valley since 1995, and knows the low and high desert basketball culture. He looks forward to providing an opportunity for local student athletes to meet their academic goals and continue with their basketball careers in a university. Ken intends to find a blend of local talent as well as bring some talent from the outside to experience CMC and the Morongo Basin Community. Simonds is married to wife Morraika and they have four children; Natalie (24), Kainan (15), Samantha (14), and Jaxon (4).
Coach Simonds feels, “Copper Mountain has all the essential elements for developing a top program; administrative and staff support, a community that is excited about the program, and first rate facilities. This is going to be a preferred destination for local and outside talent to enjoy the Copper Mountain experience.
If you would like to learn more about the basketball program or to learn more about Copper Mountain College go to their website at cmccd.edu or call 760-366-3791.