Former Lady Vols Basketball National Champion Fired as Memphis' Head Coach

Alex Simmons, who led the Memphis women's basketball team since 2023, has been let go after a 30-61 record.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Former Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball national champion forward Alex Simmons has been fired as the head coach of the Memphis women's basketball program. Simmons, who played under legendary coach Pat Summitt, had led the Tigers since the 2023-24 season but recorded just a 30-61 record before being let go.

Why it matters

Simmons was a highly decorated player at Tennessee, winning two national titles, and her dismissal as Memphis' head coach after just a few seasons is somewhat surprising given her pedigree. The move raises questions about the pressure to win quickly at the Division I level, even for former star players.

The details

In her first season at Memphis, Simmons led the team to a 13-17 (9-9 AAC) record. The following year, the Tigers dropped to 7-23 (5-13). This past season, they finished 10-21 (4-14). Simmons also lost both of her matchups against her alma mater, Tennessee, including a loss at FedEx Forum to head coach Kim Caldwell.

  • Simmons has been the head coach of the Memphis women's basketball team since the 2023-24 season.
  • She was fired from her position on March 9, 2026.

The players

Alex Simmons

A former national champion forward for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, who was fired as the head coach of the Memphis women's basketball program after recording a 30-61 record over three seasons.

Pat Summitt

The legendary head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, under whom Simmons won two national championships as a player.

Kellie Harper

The current head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, who defeated Simmons' Memphis team in one of their home-and-home matchups.

Kim Caldwell

The head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, who defeated Simmons' Memphis team in their matchup at FedEx Forum.

Ed Scott

The athletic director at the University of Memphis, who announced the decision to fire Simmons as the head coach of the women's basketball program.

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What they’re saying

“Following a comprehensive evaluation of our women's basketball program, we believe this is the right time for a leadership change. We remain committed to building a program that competes at the highest level of our conference and reflects the pride and passion of the University of Memphis community.”

— Ed Scott, Athletic Director, University of Memphis (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

Shalon Pillow will lead the Memphis women's basketball program during the transition to the next head coach.

The takeaway

Simmons' dismissal as Memphis' head coach, despite her decorated playing career at Tennessee, underscores the pressure to win quickly at the Division I level, even for former star players. Her firing raises questions about the balance between past accomplishments and current results in the world of college basketball coaching.