HICKORY, N.C. - Jordon Simmons '10 returns to Lenoir-Rhyne as the Director of Athletic Performance, as announced by Vice President for Athletics Daron Montgomery on Wednesday. 

In his role, Simmons will oversee LR's comprehensive strength and conditioning programs and also serve as the head strength and speed coach for football.

Simmons comes to Lenoir-Rhyne following an impressive career that spans across all levels. Most recently he served as the Director of Sports Performance at Colorado School of Mines (NCAA Division II). Prior to his time at Mines, Simmons was on Jay Norvell's staffs at both Colorado State University and the University of Nevada, bringing strong military and football backgrounds to the teams.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jordon back to Lenoir-Rhyne," said Vice President for Athletics Daron Montgomery. "Jordon has helped develop championship-caliber athletes and programs throughout his career, and his passion for mentoring student-athletes aligns with who we are. Jordon will be a tremendous addition to LR athletics."

Simmons, a native of Redondo Beach, Calif., came to the University of Nevada from North Carolina, where he opened a kickboxing gym after a year with the United States 3rd Group Special Forces in Fort Bragg, N.C. In his time with the Special Forces, Simmons worked with wounded warriors and executed team training for groups readying for deployment. 

Simmons served as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners' strength staff from 2010-13, working with football, wrestling, baseball, soccer and tennis. He also took the lead and revamped the nutrition program at OU. Prior to Oklahoma, Simmons was a strength and conditioning assistant with the NFL's Carolina Panthers from 2007-10. Simmons has also worked for the University of Alabama (2009) and spent time as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2009-10. His father, Jerry, spent 23 years in the NFL as the head strength and conditioning coach for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers.

"I'm extremely excited to return home to Lenoir-Rhyne," Simmons said. "This university helped shape me personally and professionally, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to invest in the next generation of Bears. I look forward to working alongside our coaches to help every student-athlete achieve their highest potential."

Simmons, who was a long snapper and played defense for the Lenoir-Rhyne football team, earned his Bachelors from Lenoir-Rhyne in 2010 and his Master's from the University of Oklahoma in 2013. 

Jordon Simmons Profile

• 2026-Present: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Director of Athletic Performance
• 2026: Colorado School of Mines - Director of Sports Performance
• 2022-2025: Colorado State - Assistant Head Coach/Director of Football Strength and Speed
• 2020-2021: University of Nevada - Director of Football Strength & Conditioning/Assistant Head Coach
• 2017-2019: University of Nevada - Director of Football Strength & Conditioning
• 2014-2016: Owner/Operator/Manager/Head Traner, Kickboxing Gym
• 2013-2014: Tactical Perfromance/Strength Specialist, 3rd Group THOR3 Special Forces
• 2010-2013: University of Oklahoma - Assistant Football Strength Coach/Head Olympic Strength Coach
• 2009-10: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
• 2009: University of Alabama - Football Strength & Conditioning Intern
• 2007-10: Carolina Panthers - Strength & Conditioning Intern
• 2007-09: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Football Student-Athlete (Long Snapper/Defense)