Bolivar, Mo. – Head Men's Basketball Coach Clark Sheehy has announced the completion of his coaching staff for the 2014-15 season with the hiring of assistant coach Liam Simmons and graduate assistant coach Justin Ritz.
 
Liam Simmons will begin his first year on the bench as the men's basketball assistant coach. Simmons comes from Nicholls State University where he served as the men's basketball assistant coach during the 2013 season, leading NSU to their first winning conference record since 2008-09.
 
Prior to NSU, Simmons spent two years coaching at Northwest Christian High School, one year as head coach and the other as an assistant coach, leading his team to two Arizona State Tournament trips. In 2007, Simmons was an assistant men's basketball coach for San Diego Christian College, helping coach his team to the NAIA National Tournament. Simmons also spent time coaching a U16 and U18 teams in Australia.
 
Simmons played collegiate basketball for San Diego Christian College from 2003-06. While at SDCC, Simmons helped lead his team to an NAIA National Tournament appearance, two top 10 NAIA national rankings, and an NCCAA National Championship.
 
Simmons is one of six children, and his father played professional basketball in Australia for 15 years. Simmons currently resides in Bolivar.
 
"We are so excited that Coach Simmons has joined our family here at SBU," Coach Sheehy commented. "He brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to work each day.  He will also serve as a great mentor to our players.  We are also excited about his international contacts and his ability to recruit not only here in the regional area, but also internationally.  We are excited that he is a Bearcat!"
 
Justin Ritz will begin his first year as a graduate assistant for the men's basketball program. Ritz has spent the last two years coaching under Clark Sheehy at John Brown University. In his first year coaching, he helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 28-7 record, picking up JBU's first SAC Championship, and an NAIA Sweet 16 appearance.
 
Ritz graduated from John Brown University with a B.S. in accounting, while also playing collegiate basketball for four years. While at JBU, Ritz help lead the Golden Eagles to the NAIA National Tournament his freshman year.
 
Ritz is pursuing his masters in athletic administration and currently resides in Bolivar.
 
"Coach Ritz is a valuable addition to our staff," Coach Sheehy commented. "He has a great work ethic and has a great feel for our system and how we want to do things.  I have coached with him for two seasons, and he has been an assistant for us the past two seasons.  That experience will really help our student-athletes.  We are really glad he has joined us."