Joshua Simmons enters his sixth season as head coach of the Barton baseball program in 2016-17.

Simmons served as assistant baseball coach for the Bulldogs for a total of six years before being named head coach in May of 2011. His 100th career victory came on April 24, 2016 with a 6-0 shutout of Pfeiffer University to end the regular season.

In his first five seasons at the helm, Simmons has coached 11 All-Conference performers, including the 2016 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, two All-Region performers, two Players of the Week and nine Pitchers of the Week. Barton baseball has also received 94 Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll honors under Simmons' direction.

During his tenure, the Bulldogs have defeated four nationally-ranked opponents - No. 3 Tusculum in 2012 (7-4) , two teams, No. 15 UNC Pembroke (5-3) and No. 18 Catawba (8-3) in 2013, and No. 2 Mount Olive (5-3 and 12-3) in 2015.

In his six years an assistant to former Barton head baseball coach Todd Wilkinson (retired from coaching after the 2011 season), Simmons was responsible for service in all facets of the program.

Simmons also serves as supervisor of the Barton College Athletic Complex.

Simmons has additional assistant coaching experience at UNC Wilmington, Surry Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, and at South Point High School.

Simmons was born in Charlotte and graduated from North Gaston High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from East Carolina University in Exercise and Sport Sciences.

Simmons is married to the former Ericka Hooks, a program manager for Diversified Opportunities.

The couple makes their home in Wilson and they became parents on opening day 2012 when their son, Colton James, was born. Coach Simmons picked up career win No. 1 that same night.