After a national search, Idaho State Director of Athletics, Pauline Thiros, has named Harold Simmons the 10th Head Coach in Idaho State Softball program history.
Simmons comes to Idaho State after a seven-year stint at the University of Northern Colorado, where he helped win multiple Big Sky championships and participated on the national stage at the NCAA Regionals.
"This was an exhaustive search process, but I was interested in Coach Simmons very early on," said Thiros. "The more I learned about him, the more convinced I became that he was the right coach to lead Idaho State Softball. Harold has recruited some of the league's most outstanding talent, developed a fierce defense, and was the architect of a sustained and powerful offense. He has been winning Big Sky Championships and playing in NCAA Regionals all along, and he knows how to get there again."
Thiros said she was most taken by his leadership presence when he spent time with the team during his campus interview process, "What really stood out to me is Harold's approach to people. His philosophy is simple: love, care for, and serve student-athletes. He aligns perfectly with who we are at Idaho State and our commitment to putting student-athletes first. He is not only respected throughout the softball community, he is loved and trusted by student athletes."
"My family and I are incredibly humbled and excited for this opportunity," remarked Simmons. "The passion of this community, the dedication of this athletic department, and the incredible potential of these student-athletes made this an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I want to thank President Wagner, and Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros for believing in me, and I am eager to get to work. Go Bengals!"
Simmons spent seven seasons at the University of Northern Colorado, serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Bears. He coordinated all defensive development and led the program's offensive and hitting operations, coaching third base on game days.
In 2023, UNC won its first Big Sky tournament in history, with UNC's Alyssa Wenzel earning tournament MVP and four Bears earning four Big Sky All-Tournament honors.
Simmons and the Bears repeated the feat in 2024, sweeping the Big Sky regular season crown, followed by a tournament win in Pocatello at Miller Ranch Stadium as the Bears overcame an extra-inning nailbiter to take the tournament trophy and earn the bid to the NCAA tournament. Again, the Bears had the Tournament MVP, this time in Amailee Morales, while also picking up four All-Tournament honors.
In his tenure with the Bears, Simmons has coached 36 All-Conference players and won three individual awards, coaching Amailee Morales to a league MVP award in 2024, Erin Caviness to the Pitcher of the Year award in 2024, and Katie Walling to newcomer of the year in 2025.
Before joining the Bears, Simmons built an extensive high school coaching resume in Colorado.
He served as head coach of both the softball and baseball programs at Erie High School from 2009 to 2019, founding the NoCo Roughnecks, a community nonprofit aimed at youth athlete development in northern Colorado.
His teams won four regional softball championships, three conference titles, and reached the state championship game.
On the diamond, Simmons earned two Regional Coach of the Year honors and four Conference Coach of the Year awards.
"Harold and his family genuinely want to put down roots in Bengal Country, and they are going to fit right in. I believe in the longevity of Coach's commitment, and in his ability to have sustained success at Miller Ranch," added Thiros.
Simmons has a spouse, Amber, and two children, Brooklyn and Avery. They are joined by their six-year-old Boxer, Bailey.
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