Head Coach
Phone: (989) 640-0261
Hometown: Fowler, Mich.
Education:
High School: Fowler High School, 1999
Central Michigan, BsBA., 2003
UNLV, M.E., 2010
Central Michigan, BsBA., 2003
UNLV, M.E., 2010
Todd Simon begins his first season as the Head Coach of Findlay Prep. Simon joined the inaugural Findlay College Prep staff as an assistant coach and resident director for the student-athletes in 2006. While at Findlay, the team has had 30 international student-athletes from 19 different countries as well as 6 McDonald’s All-Americans, 6 Jordan Brand All-Americans, and 6 Parade All-Americans. As Associate Head Coach, The Pilots were 157-8 in the last five seasons, with a 2009 undefeated consensus National Championship, the 2010 ESPN National High School Invitational Championship, and the 2012 ESPN National High School Invitational Championship.
Simon came to Findlay College Prep from UNLV, where he spent two seasons as an aide to coach Lon Kruger with involvement in video scouting, as well as camp and recruiting organization. Prior to joining the Runnin' Rebel Staff, Simon gained experience at Pepperdine University under head coach Paul Westphal and his staff. He started his career as the head junior varsity boy's basketball coach at Harrison High School in Harrison, Michigan. In 2006, Simon worked as a member of the support staff for Team USA during their training in Las Vegas, Nevada where he gained experience working with the highest-level players and coaches in the world. He has also been a veteran of summer camps around the country. Simon has also worked Michael Jordan's Flight School in Las Vegas and Giants of Africa Big Man Camp in Lagos, Nigeria.
Previous to his time at Pepperdine, Simon worked for Beverly Hills based Fingerprint Communications specializing in publicity, events, marketing, branding and talent relations for their celebrity clientele. Simon graduated from Fowler High School in Fowler, Michigan. He was recruited out of high school to attend Central Michigan University on a full academic scholarship as one of their Centralis Scholar Awardees. Simon graduated from CMU's Honors program Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in B.A. with majors in Sport Studies and Management Information Systems. He received his M.E. in Sport Education Leadership from UNLV in 2010 and will continue to pursue his doctoral degree. Simon and his wife, Kati, have a son Rece born in February of 2011 and are expecting their second child.
Coach Simon succeeds Coach Michael Peck who accepted a position with the Portland Trailblazers as an assistant coach and the Head Coach of their D-League affiliate the Idaho Stampede.
2011-12 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 32-1 *National High School Invitational Champion
Coach Simon succeeds Coach Michael Peck who accepted a position with the Portland Trailblazers as an assistant coach and the Head Coach of their D-League affiliate the Idaho Stampede.
Findlay Prep Records While Associate Head Coach of the Pilots:
2007-08 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 32-1 *National Prep School Runner Up
2008-09 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 33-0 *National High School Invitational Champion
2007-08 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 32-1 *National Prep School Runner Up
2008-09 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 33-0 *National High School Invitational Champion
2009-10 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 32-2 *National High School Invitational Champion
2010-11 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 28-4 *National High School Invitational Qualifier2011-12 Findlay Prep Associate Head Coach 32-1 *National High School Invitational Champion
Andy Johnson
Assistant Coach
Phone: (509) 230-8871
Hometown: Batavia, Illinois
Education:
High School: Gonzaga Prep High School, 2003
College: UNLV, B.S., University Studies, 2009
UNLV, M.S., Athletic Administration, 2011
Andy Johnson begins his fourth season as an Assistant Coach for the Findlay College Prep basketball team at The Henderson International School. Johnson’s responsibilities include assisting with daily practices, preseason workouts, player development, and other related coaching activities. At Findlay College Prep Johnson has had the opportunity to coach 2 NBA first round draft picks, 3 McDonalds All Americans, and 8 Division I signees. In addition Johnson serves as a mentor living with the student athletes.
Johnson came to Findlay College Prep from UNLV, where he spent four seasons as an aid to Coach Lon Kruger and had the opportunity to work with future NBA players Louis Amundson and Joel Anthony. In 2011, Johnson spent the summer working at Impact Basketball Academy helping to train numerous NBA players. From 2007 to 2010, Johnson worked as a member of the support staff for the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team during their summer training in Las Vegas, Nevada where he worked with the highest level players and coaches in the world. From 2006 to 2010, Johnson worked as a Team Assistant for the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League. In 2007, Johnson also worked as a member of the support staff for Fiba in the Fiba America’s Championship Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Johnson also worked as a support staff member for the NBA during the 2007 NBA All Star Game. Johnson has also worked several summer basketball camps including UNLV Elite Camp, Findlay Prep Nike Basketball Camp, and Michael Jordan’s Flight School in Las Vegas.
Johnson graduated from Gonzaga Prep High School in 2003. At Gonzaga Prep, Johnson lettered in basketball. Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in University Studies from UNLV in 2009. He earned his Masters degree from UNLV in Sports Education Leadership with a concentration in Athletic Administration in 2011.
Brett Price
Assistant Coach / Athletic Director
Hometown: Arlington, OH
Michael Smalley
Assistant Coach
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Jerome Williams
Assistant Coach
Hometown: Washington, DC
Through the power of God, Jerome Williams has been blessed without measure. At an early age he was taught the power of education and hard work while growing up in Washington, DC. His parents Johnnie & Seaquett Williams instilled a high moral standard of giving while utilizing sports as a meaningful outlet. His first job was in the church, serving God as an altar server. As he grew he relied on the power of prayer to overcome life obstacles, while building a strong work ethic doing all sorts of jobs, along with his brothers Johnnie and Joshua.
Upon graduating from Magruder High School in Md., Jerome got a job at a local gas station to help pay for his college education. A mere 6’2”, college scouts failed to notice this diamond in the rough, so Jerome attended Montgomery College and signed up for the basketball team. As a student athlete, Jerome continued to pray for some much needed height to help take his game to the next level. During his first two years, his prayers were answered and he grew to 6’9”. This gift from God was never forgotten and Jerome was able to see life from a brand new perspective. He was named the Junior College State MVP in spring of 1993. Jerome also accepted a collegiate scholarship to Georgetown University, where he would team up with future NBA star Allen Iverson. Jerome Graduated in 1996 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology with minors in Business and Theology.
After two seasons at Montgomery College (Md.), during which he worked at a local gas station to help finance his education, Williams transferred to Georgetown University and played for Hall of Fame coach John Thompson. He graduated from Georgetown in 1996, and stands among the top re-bounders in school history. In 1995, he joined Hoya teammates Allen Iverson and Othella Harrington as members of the World University Games team. Williams was selected 26th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1996 NBA Draft and his intensity and effort made him a fan favorite throughout the league.
In 1997, Jerome, along with his brother Johnnie, created Positive Shades of Black, which developed programs for youth of all grade levels teaching study habits and life skills. These programs have been implemented in the NBA cities of Detroit, New York, Toronto, Las Vegas and Washington D.C. Jerome also works with his brother on the Change the World Movement touring schools around the country (www.changetheworldmovement.com), as well as continuing his acting career and hosting programming for MSG and NBA TV. (www.jydtv.com)
Upon graduating from Georgetown University, Jerome was the #1 pick of the Detroit Pistons in the 96’ draft. His teammates included Joe Dumars and Grant Hill. Jerome was the first player in the NBA to come off the bench and still be in the top ten in rebounds for an entire season.
On February 22, 2001 Williams was traded from the Detroit Pistons, along with Eric Montross, to the Toronto Raptors. He was so enthusiastic about joining his new teammates that he immediately drove from Detroit to Toronto upon hearing the news. With the Raptors, Williams averaged 9.7 points per game. In December 2003, Williams was traded to the Chicago Bulls for overall in 2003-04, Williams played in 68 games, starting 44 of them, averaging 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He was a fan favorite during his days playing for the Toronto Raptors due to his tenacious efforts on the court. In Toronto, he was always greeted with a standing ovation when he returned in a Bulls or Knicks uniform. In 1997, Jerome’s brother Johnnie established Positive shades of Black 501c3.
Jerome was tagged with the nickname “Junk Yard Dog” or “JYD” by his teammates for all his work on and off the court. As a tenacious player, he was hailed often for his leadership and commitment to community service. His community outreach efforts earned him selection by The Sporting News as one of its “Good Guys in Sports” for 2002 and he was a finalist in 2000 for the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.
Jerome was instrumental in the development of programs to encourage kids to stay in school and Jerome was the first to receive the Fannie Mae Community Award. During the 2004 off-season, Williams was traded to the New York Knicks and on August 17, 2005, Williams announced his retirement from his playing career. Williams played in 587 games over nine seasons, averaging 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. On January 25, 2006, Williams rejoined the Toronto Raptors as their community representative. Williams joined the NBA's "Basketball Without Borders" program, an effort to teach the game and bring resources to underdeveloped nations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere.
NBA Community Ambassador
As an NBA Cares Community Ambassador, Jerome Williams works with community and youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes. In 2000, he was chosen by the NBA to be the 1st Goodwill ambassador to China. He soon returned overseas with the NBA with the League’s Basketball without Borders program. Jerome was part of trips to South Africa, China and South America. In 2006, he was the 1st player since Bob Lanier to hold the position of NBA CARES Community Ambassador for the NBA. While playing in the NBA, he received 2 Community Assist awards, one with the Toronto Raptors & one with the New York Knicks.