Men's Soccer | 2/6/2019 9:58:00 AM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.--Barry University director of athletics, Michael L. Covone, announced today that men's soccer assistant Ali Simmons has resigned the position.

Simmons, who joined the program in the spring of 2018, helped lead the Bucs to the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship at the Fall Sports Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa., in December. It was the Bucs' first men's soccer title and 20^th overall in program history. He helped mentor Francisco Greco to a campaign that saw him win Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year and Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the national finals. In addition, Flavio Colasanti was the SSC Player and Offensive Player of the Year and both he and Greco were named to All-America teams.

"Each time an assistant coach of mine leaves, it's a bit painful, Bucs head coach Steve McCrath said. "Like watching your children leave the house - you're sad, but happy too. As assistant coaches, that's the goal, to climb the coaching ladder. I'm blessed to have worked with Ali Simmons. He helped shape a new Steve McCrath and help our program reach the pinnacle of our sport winning the NCAA DII title. He will be sorely missed for many reasons.  He will be a huge benefit to Seton Hall and their soccer program, McCrath added. 

Simmons, along with McCrath, keeper coach Brian Galvin and student assistant Maria Zamora, were named the coaching staff of the year in both the south region and the nation by United Soccer Coaches. For Simmons, it was his second straight, as he was a part of the national staff of the year at Charleston (W.Va.) the year before.

The Bucs will begin an immediate search for his replacement.