INDIANAPOLIS - After three years of leading one of the premier men's golf teams in the NAIA, head coach Steve Simmons has announced his formal resignation from his position with Marian's men's golf program to Director of Athletics Steve Downing earlier this week. Simmons led the Knights for three seasons as head coach, winning three Crossroads League championships while setting a program record with a fourth-place finish at this year's NAIA Championship.

Steve Simmons joined the Knights as head coach in the summer of 2023, taking over for veteran head coach Stephen Ford after Ford announced his retirement from collegiate coaching at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. Simmons followed the footsteps of Ford, becoming the second Marian alum to lead the program and take the team to a Crossroads League Championship title, while reaching national success at the NAIA Championship.

"The past three years at Marian have been special," said Simmons on his time at Marian. "Coming back to my alma mater to be a part of this program has exceeded what I hoped would be possible. I'm grateful to all the players and Knight Golf Families who have made these past three years the best in program history."

In his first season as head coach in 2023-24, Simmons led the Knights to a victory in the team's first tournament of the season, winning The Player's Club Invitational on September 12, 2023. The win in the tournament shattered the record for 54-holes at the time, and set the tone for the Knights that season, as they went on to win seven total tournaments overall that season, setting a new standard. Marian would go on to win the Crossroads League Tournament for the second consecutive year as a program and first under Simmons, earning a bid to the NAIA Championship, where the team finished eighth, making the cut for the first time in the tournament's current format. 

"I am very thankful to Coach Simmons and his dedication to his alma mater that he has displayed over the last three years," said Director of Athletics Steve Downing. "Coach Simmons was a proven winner, and his contributions to the program have put the Knights in the upper quartile of NAIA programs. I wish him the best of luck as he moves on from Marian as our coach!"

The Knights continued their roll in 2024-25 with three more victories, including a second CL Championship under Simmons' watch, along with another NAIA Championship appearance. Simmons and the Knights saved the best for last under his tenure in the 2025-26 season, winning five more tournaments while setting a program record finish at the NAIA Championship. After winning the Crossroads League for a third consecutive year under Simmons and fourth overall for the senior class, the Knights carded a fourth-place finish at the NAIA Championship, setting a Marian and Crossroads League record for best overall finish at the national championship. The Knights' fourth-place finish at TPC Deere Run was highlighted by All-Tournament runs from Weston Ogden and Lane Zedrick. 

Under Simmons' leadership, Weston Ogden became a two-time NAIA All-America honoree, while Lane Zedrick was an All-American in 2025-26. Augie Mann, Nolan Potter, Luke Beetz, Brody Holubar, and Brandon Heffner all earned All-Crossroads League under Simmons in addition to Ogden and Zedrick, while Zedrick was a two-time CL Medalist at the league meet. 

The three-time Crossroads League Coach of the Year led the Knights to break the school's 36-hole, 54-hole, and 72-hole scoring records as a team, while Weston Ogden, Brandon Heffner, and Lane Zedrick each set individual records in their time as Knights.

Marian University Athletics wishes Coach Steve Simmons the best of luck in his future endeavors!

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