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Simon, 29, joins the Arizona men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach
following a six-year professional career that saw him play in the NBA, CBA
and in four foreign countries. Since his retirement as a player in December
2004, he has been in Tucson completing requirements towards a B.S. in Family
Studies. He completed those requirements on July 20.
“I am very thankful and very blessed for this opportunity,” said Simon. “I
want to thank the university, the city of Tucson, the fans, the athletic
depart and, most importantly, Coach Olson for the ability to begin my
coaching career at the University of Arizona.”
A four-year letterman for the Wildcats from 1994-98, Simon was a
second-round pick of the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft. He averaged
0.4 points, 0.2 rebounds and 0.2 steals for the club during the 1999
campaign before playing professionally in Israel, Italy, Venezuela and
Turkey over the next five years.
He enjoyed his best season as a professional in 2001-02 playing for the
Dakota Wizards of the Continental Basketball Association. That season Simon
averaged 23.0 points and 5.1 assists per game in leading the Wizards to the
CBA championship. Along the way, he was named league Most Valuable Player,
Newcomer of the Year and playoff MVP. Simon tallied game-high totals of 24
points and nine assists in the championship-game victory.
In 14 career NCAA Tournament games, Simon averaged 18.4 points per game. En
route to Arizona’s 1997 national championship, Simon averaged 22.0 points,
4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as he was named the Tournament’s Most
Outstanding Player.
“I’m very excited to add Miles to our coaching staff,” said Olson. “I think
he will be an outstanding addition. It really is a luxury to have added two
highly energetic people to our staff who were great players and take great
pride in the Arizona basketball family.”
Simon’s hiring necessitated a reorganization of the coaching staff
responsibilities, as he will occupy the third assistant coaches position.
Associate head coach Jim Rosborough and assistant coach Josh Pastner will
remain in their current positions.
Reggie Geary will become the recruiting coordinator and coordinator of
basketball operations. In that position, Geary will handle all recruiting
organization and supervise the program’s daily office operations. Geary
joined the staff on June 2.
Ryan Hansen, former coordinator of basketball operations, has elected to
pursue an opportunity within the athletic department’s development office.
He will serve as a liaison between the men’s basketball program and the
development office in the funding of several planned capital projects in
this new role. Hansen, who served in his previous position for eight years,
will remain the color commentator for all UA radio broadcasts.
Jack Murphy will serve as the program’s video coordinator in 2005-06. He
will oversee the Wildcats’ video operations and assist in video editing and
exchange as designated by the coaching staff. Murphy originally joined the
Wildcat program in 1998 as a student manager.
“This reorganization will be great for Arizona basketball,” said Olson. I’m
excited about the makeup and energy of the staff. Having Reggie spearhead
our recruiting efforts will ensure that we continue to bring in outstanding
players and people into the program.”