DAYTON – Wright State head men's basketball coach Clint Sargent announced Thursday the addition of Jaaron Simmons as an assistant coach for the Raiders.
 
"Jaaron checked all the boxes for me. His character and priorities aligned with our staff and who we want to be for our players, fans, and alumni," Sargent said. "Between his authenticity, and his playing and coaching career, there is no question that he'll be a great recruiter and coach for our program."
 
No stranger to the area, Jaaron Simmons (pronounced Juh-ron) prepped at Archbishop Alter High School under Joe Petrocelli, where he is the all-time leading scorer, as well as GCL, history and is second in career assists. He was just the sixth player in school history to score 1,000 points or more during his career that saw him named an Associated Press Division II All-Ohio third team (2011) and special mention (2013) member, while he was also a two-time GCL North Player of the Year (2011 & 2013) and a three-time GCL North Division first team (2011, 2012, 2013) performer.
 
"Thank you to Coach Sargent for the opportunity to come home to Dayton, Ohio to serve our student-athletes as well as the Raider Community," Simmons said. "I am extremely blessed and excited to learn and grow with our players and staff. Let's get to work! Raider Up!"
 
Simmons comes to Wright State after spending the last five seasons at the University of Michigan following a playing career with the Wolverines and at Ohio University. Originally a graduate assistant in the 2019-20 season, he was elevated to the program's video analyst and on court instructor the past five seasons. Simmons assisted with all practice and game planning, scouting reports and recruiting activities while also conducting individual and group on-court skill and film sessions with Michigan.
 
The first ever graduate transfer at Michigan, Simmons played one season for the Wolverines (2017-18) as the team won the Big Ten Tournament title, recorded a program-best 33 wins and advanced to the Final Four and national title game. Prior to his transfer to Michigan, Simmons played at Ohio for two seasons (2015-17) after starting his collegiate career at Houston.
 
An All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) first team (2017) and second team (2016) player at Ohio, Simmons ranks fourth all-time at Ohio with 475 career assists and set Ohio's program and Mid-American Conference single season record with 275 assists in the 2015-16 season. He was the 37th player in Ohio history to surpass 1,000 points, finishing with 1,034 points scored after he tallied double figures in 53 of his 66 games played with 20 contests with 20-plus points and four 30-plus point performances.
 
Simmons graduated from Ohio with a bachelor's degree for specialized studies in 2017. In 2021, he completed work for his master's degree for social work at Michigan. Simmons and his girlfriend, Ronequa (Mallory) have one daughter together, Romera.