Nationally recognized coach and legendary DMV basketball star Duane Simpkins will enter his fourth season as head coach of the American University men’s basketball team in 2026-27.
In just his second year, Simpkins led the Eagles to a historic season, winning the 2024-25 Patriot League Championship and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014. American finished 22-13 overall and 13-5 in the Patriot League, matching the program’s all-time record for league wins in a season. The championship was clinched on the Eagles’ home floor at Bender Arena in front of a packed house, capping off a season in which AU led the Patriot League in home attendance for the first time in over a decade.
The 2024-25 campaign also saw the Eagles break their own program record for made three-pointers with 299 on the season. Under Simpkins' leadership, the team embraced an up-tempo, modern style of play and re-energized the fan base with its high-effort, high-character identity.
Individually, Simpkins earned national recognition, landing on the watchlists for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, the Ben Jobe Award, and the ABIS Mid-Major Coaches Watchlist. He coached two-time All-Patriot League First Teamer Matt Rogers for his final season, one in which Rogers earned Patriot League Tournament MVP honors. Also earning All-PL recognition in Simpkins' second season was Elijah Stephens (All-PL Third Team) and Greg Jones (All-PL Defensive Team).
One year later, the Eagles were in the mix once again as the fifth-seeded team in the Patriot League after going 16-16 overall and 9-9 in conference play. American's scoring average of 74.6 points per game in 2025-26 was its most in 30 years, while the Eagles' 9.0 three-pointers made per game were a program record. Jones earned All-Defensive Team honors for a second year in a row, also being selected to the All-PL Third Team along with freshman standout Madden Collins, who was named to the All-Rookie Team. For the second year in a row, Simpkins was named a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award.
In his first season at the helm, Simpkins guided AU to a 16-16 record and a tie for second place in the Patriot League, despite multiple key injuries in the second half of the year. The team set a new program record with 279 three-pointers that season and earned a signature win at Colgate to close the regular season, snapping one of the nation’s longest winning streaks.
Over his first three seasons, Simpkins has coached multiple All-Patriot League selections including Matt Rogers, Elijah Stephens, Greg Jones, Matt Mayock, and Madden Collins, and has continued to emphasize academic success. The program has earned the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award in both of his seasons so far, and has seen numerous players recognized on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll while getting Matt Rogers (2024), Lincoln Ball (2025), and Julen Iturbe (2026) named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
Simpkins was announced as AU’s 18th head men’s basketball coach on April 1, 2023.
He joined American after eight seasons on the coaching staff at George Mason, where he helped guide the Patriots to multiple program bests within the Atlantic 10, including an 11-win A-10 campaign and a 20-13 overall finish in 2022-23. Simpkins also served on the A-10 Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the George Mason Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
His coaching career also includes stints at UNC Greensboro, Towson, and on the high school level at St. Albans, Sidwell Friends, and Bishop O’Connell. In 2020, he was named one of the country’s Top 50 Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistants by Silverwaves Media and has been invited to numerous national leadership and coaching development programs.
A DMV basketball legend, Simpkins earned McDonald’s High School All-America honors at DeMatha Catholic under Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten. He was a three-time All-ACC Honorable Mention selection at the University of Maryland and helped lead the Terrapins to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16 runs. He ranks eighth all-time in assists at Maryland with 483.
Following college, Simpkins enjoyed a successful professional playing career that spanned the U.S., China, Italy, France, Belgium, and the Dominican Republic.
He is the owner and director of “Power Through Sports” camps and clinics and has also worked as a basketball analyst for Comcast SportsNet.
Simpkins and his wife Kirsten have three children – Kai, Darian, and Elijah.
