John Simmons was named the inaugural Director of Football Operations & Administration for UTRGV Football in January 2023, joining head coach Travis Bush to help launch the Vaqueros' football program.
Simmons oversees the day-to-day operations of the football program, including budgeting, travel, facilities, staffing, equipment, camps and administrative operations, while serving as the primary liaison between football and the university's support units.
Prior to UTRGV, Simmons spent six seasons at Rice University, where he served under head coaches David Bailiff and Mike Bloomgren, including two years as Chief of Staff. His responsibilities included football operations, recruiting, player personnel, facilities, fundraising and program administration.
Simmons first crossed paths with Bush in 2010 when he joined UTSA during the program's inaugural practice year. He played quarterback and wide receiver for the Roadrunners from 2011-13. More than a decade later, the two worked together again at Canyon High School before joining forces to help build UTRGV Football.
A 2014 graduate of UTSA with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Simmons and his wife, Anna, reside in the Rio Grande Valley.
