February/March 2025
Photography // Neil Lucas
This month, Carmel Monthly is excited to feature John Simmonds on the cover.
Simmonds has been appointed the new head coach for the Carmel High School Women’s Soccer team, bringing with him over 30 years of coaching experience at both the club and high school levels. Previously, he led Park Tudor’s girls soccer program to four state championship appearances in just six years, securing three state titles during his tenure. While at Park Tudor, Simmonds compiled an impressive record of 108 wins, 15 losses and five ties.
A Lifetime of Dedication to Soccer and Coaching
Simmonds has built an impressive career in the world of soccer, transitioning from a passionate player to a coach who has impacted countless lives. His journey is rooted in family, dedication and a deep love for the sport. Simmonds’ path to coaching was shaped by his upbringing, his experiences as a player and his commitment to empowering the next generation.
Simmonds’ connection to soccer began in his childhood, growing up in Greenwood, Indiana. He attended Center Grove High School, where his father, Bill Simmonds, played a pivotal role in developing the school’s soccer program. “My dad was very instrumental in Center Grove Soccer Club being developed, but he was also instrumental in Center Grove High School having soccer as a varsity sport,” Simmonds recalled.
The family’s involvement in soccer became a strong foundation for Simmonds, who played club soccer at Purdue University. The experience was formative for him, both academically and athletically. “I got a great education. I got to play club soccer, and in 1991, we won the National Club Soccer Championship, and in the same year, we were invited to the College World Cup in Mexico,” Simmonds shared.
Transitioning From Player to Coach
After college, Simmonds found himself gravitating toward coaching. His initial coaching experience began with the Indy Inferno, a boys soccer club, where he spent over two decades honing his coaching skills. “I switched to coaching women because I have daughters,” Simmonds explained.
Over time, Simmonds’s career evolved further. The Indy Inferno merged with Carmel United Soccer Club and eventually joined forces with Westfield Youth Soccer, which ultimately formed the Indiana Fire Juniors, now known as Indy Eleven Academy. Simmonds’s work as a director of coaching was crucial to the development of the club, and his influence continued to grow.
In recent years, Simmonds made the decision to step back from his full-time role at the club to focus on his family and coaching high school soccer. He took on a new day job but remained committed to coaching soccer.
“I’m working for a local physician, and that’s allowed me to still coach high school soccer,” Simmonds shared.
The Move to Carmel High School
In 2024, Simmonds decided to leave Park Tudor and join Carmel High School, which boasts one of the top high school soccer programs in the state. The decision wasn’t easy, especially after spending six years building the Park Tudor program, but it was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family and to challenge himself in a new environment.
“It was very, very hard, and tears were shed,” Simmonds admitted. “But for me, it was a life decision because I didn’t get to see my other two daughters play high school soccer, and I felt bad about it.”
As he prepares for his first season at Carmel, Simmonds is determined to leave his mark on the program. “I want to do some new things,” Simmonds stated. “I want it to be better when I leave than when I got there. Which is a very large ask. But I think if we [our staff] stay committed, we can make that happen.”
Developing a Winning Culture
Carmel High School soccer has a tradition of excellence, and Simmonds is excited to continue that legacy while putting his “own stamp” on the program. His primary goal is to create an environment where every player is empowered to grow both on and off the field. Simmonds doesn’t just focus on winning titles. He is committed to developing well-rounded individuals.
“I want to help these women develop life skills,” Simmonds added. “It’s more than just soccer. For me, having daughters and coaching girls soccer, there’s something very special about empowering young women.”
Simmonds also acknowledged the pressure and competition that comes with coaching at Carmel, where every game is a “tough” one. He knows the challenges ahead but is excited about the opportunity to lead a high-caliber team.
“When you put your Carmel jersey on, I don’t care who you play—you’re going to get that opponent’s best game,” Simmonds explained.
Recruiting and Building Relationships
Simmonds is aware of the challenges involved in recruiting players to Carmel, especially with the high number of soccer clubs in the area. His role in bringing in talented athletes will require building strong relationships with local clubs and ensuring players understand what Carmel soccer has to offer.
“We just need to get out to some of the clubs and, again, identify the players that we want and also get to know them,” he stated.
Simmonds acknowledged the importance of educating players about the opportunities available at Carmel High School.
“Just because a player lives in Carmel doesn’t necessarily mean that large school environment is for them,” Simmonds said. “Overcoming misconceptions about large schools is key to ensuring that top players consider Carmel as an option.”
A Vision for Carmel Soccer
As Simmonds begins his journey at CHS, his focus remains on helping his athletes become better players and better people. He is committed to building a culture of hard work, fun and personal growth. With his dedication, experience and leadership, Simmonds is poised to continue making a lasting impact on the lives of his players at Carmel High School.
“Yes, it’s a lot of hard work, but it also is a lot of laughs, a lot of smiles and it is enjoyable,” Simmonds emphasized. “I hope that when [our players] leave Carmel High School after they’ve played their four years that we’ve done our job as coaches to make them not just better soccer player[s] in college, but also better [people].”
