By Abby Doperak · KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols have hired Rod Simmons as their new head coach and general manager. After parting ways with former head coa…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols have hired Rod Simmons as their new head coach and general manager.
After parting ways with former head coach Drew King , along with assistant coaches Harry Cadmus and Garrett Griffis, the Ice Vols are looking to Simmons to usher in a new era.
Simmons joins the program in a newly established role as general manager. One of his first initiatives is “The Build”.
“Everything we are doing right now is The Build for Tennessee Hockey,” Simmons said. “I want to make sure all of our teams are successful.”
“The Build” refers to a series of infrastructure changes Simmons has begun implementing within the Tennessee Hockey organization. During the off-season, the program will undergo organizational adjustments, changes in involvement and overall engagement aimed at improving the program.
“I think systematically and infrastructure-wise, that is something that we look to improve on and be better at,” Simmons said. “We will certainly have the talent to be able to do that.”
In addition to his role as general manager, Simmons will serve as head coach of the men’s Division II team. Over a 38-year coaching career, Simmons has built an extensive résumé.
He has been named coach of the year four times, won two national championships, coached junior hockey teams both nationally and internationally, recorded more than 400 junior hockey wins, served as an assistant coach at NCAA programs and owned teams.
Simmons joins the Ice Vols with the goal of improving consistency both on and off the ice.
“Having the opportunity to watch the team play, I think overall, it’s a great group of guys returning and a very good group of guys coming in,” Simmons said.
With a veteran leader and a renewed focus on structure and development, Tennessee Hockey is positioning itself for sustained growth as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.