June 4, 2007
CHICAGO - The Loyola University women's basketball team and head coach Shannon Reidy have announced the hiring of Eric Simpson as an assistant coach. Simpson, who slides into his role with the Rambler women's basketball program after serving last year as the Director of Basketball Operations for the men's team, will be responsible for coaching the Ramblers' guards in addition to scouting and recruiting duties.
"In my brief time as a Rambler, I have been continually impressed by Coach Reidy and consider the chance to help her develop a winning program here as a very special opportunity," said Simpson. "I am also elated to continue my tenure in Rogers Park, at Loyola, in my hometown of Chicago and I am extremely grateful to Coach Whitesell and his staff for the wonderful opportunity to continue to learn the game of basketball on the men's staff this past season."
Reidy is equally excited about Simpson's appointment.
"I am honored to add a current Rambler to our women's basketball staff here at Loyola," said Reidy. "Eric is coming straight across the hall from the Loyola men's basketball office and I could not be more excited about the impact that Eric will bring over from his year with Coach Whitesell. Eric truly embraces the mission of Jesuit education and Loyola athletics and I truly believe, from talking to those that know him, that no one will outwork him. He really understands the game from a technical standpoint and knows what needs to be done to prepare our players to understand our system even better. As a former head coach himself, Eric's tireless work ethic and experience in game preparation will definitely give our program a different look next season. He has embraced the vision we have for our program and plans to collaborate very closely with me in achieving success. On top of all that, Eric is already familiar with our conference, my coaching style and especially with the local talent here in Chicagoland."
Simpson is familiar with Loyola and the Horizon League, coming to Loyola in 2005 as its Director of Facilities, before joining the men's basketball staff last season as its Director of Basketball Operations. He has 10 years of coaching at the high school level under his belt, serving as an assistant coach at Loyola Academy from 1994-96 before moving on to head sophomore and assistant varsity coach at his alma mater, St. Ignatius, from 1999-2001. From there, Simpson took over as athletic director and head boys basketball coach at Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City, Ind., performing those duties from 2001-05.
"Eric did a great job of us and I could not be happier for him," said Whitesell. "He is in a position now where he can get out and recruit and be on the floor and coach, which is what he wants to do."
Simpson began his coaching career after wrapping up his four-year playing career at Northwestern, where he was a teammate of current Loyola men's basketball assistant coach Pat Baldwin. He graduated from the Evanston institution in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
"Eric's playing experience in the Big Ten is another reason I am excited about giving him the responsibility of working with our guards," continued Reidy. "Eric takes pride in player development and preparing our players to know their opponent inside and out. He will get our backcourt faster, more aggressive and confident, both offensively and defensively. With Coach Whitesell clearly in the company of some of the best up-and-coming coaches in the country, I believe Eric's experience with that staff will be a big positive as we take our program to another level."
