Duane Simpkins has signed a contract extension to serve as American University’s men’s basketball coach through the 2029-2030 season, the University’s athletics department announced Friday. Simpkins’ signing comes after he was suggested for the head coaching job at his alma mater, the University of Maryland.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Simpkins did interview for the Maryland job. That post was filled by former Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams Tuesday afternoon.
“This is a special place, and I’m committed to continuing our mission of developing champions on and off the court,” Simpkins said in a press release.
The men’s basketball team posted a 38-29 overall record, and a 23-13 record in Patriot League play during Simpkins’ two years as head coach. After a disappointing end to the 2023-2024 season in the Patriot League quarterfinals, American co-won the 2024-2025 regular season title, and then won the league tournament. That win sent them to the March Madness First Four where the team’s season would come to an end against Mount St. Mary’s, but Simpkins vowed that the Eagles would be back.
Being in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area is clearly important to Simpkins — besides a three year stint as an assistant coach for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he’s only ever played or worked in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. At the Eagles’ Patriot League semifinal game, he posted a photo on X with friends from DeMatha Catholic High School.
“This is really a dream. And to do it with these guys, I get choked up every single time I think about these guys and what they’ve done for me personally as a coach,” he said after the season-ending loss to Mount St. Mary’s. “They’ve made me a better coach … We’ll be back.”
Former Maryland head coach Kevin Willard left the Terps on Sunday to coach at Villanova University, leaving questions from fans wondering if Simpkins would fill the role Willard’s departure came after weeks of rumors and turmoil within Maryland athletics.
CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein posted on X that Simpkins has signed the extension Monday night. American was not able to confirm the report to The Eagle at that time.
This article was edited by Jack Stashower, Connor Sturniolo and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
