HAMMOND, La. – Former All-American Angie Simpson has been named the new head volleyball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced Monday.
Simpson's hire is pending approval from the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors.
"I'm extremely excited to be able to bring in a coach of Angie's caliber," Artigues commented. "She is well-renowned in the beach volleyball community and is a huge addition to our department. Angie is the type of coach that will make our program a consistent contender. We are very fortunate to have her in Hammond and I'm excited about the future of our beach volleyball program."
Simpson is excited to be taking over a young Southeastern program that was established in 2020.
"Southeastern already has the infrastructure in place and the support from the administration to evolve into a nationally recognized program," Simpson commented. "I'm eager to hit the ground running, because with the facilities, community culture and institutional support already in place, the expectation is to win the conference and earn an NCAA (Championships) bid."
Simpson grew up in Muncie, Ind., where she helped Muncie Burris to three state championships during her prep career. The Owls were the No. 1 ranked team in the
USA Today national high school ranks in three of Simpson's four seasons and finished 162-1 during her time at MBHS.
Simpson played outside hitter on the indoor volleyball team at Penn State, where she was named an All-American as a senior and was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection. During her collegiate career with the Nittany Lions, Penn State made two Final Four appearances and won a pair of conference championships.
Simpson's collegiate career was prior to the NCAA's sponsorship of beach volleyball, but Simpson spent several years on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour. One of Simpson's most frequent partners was Jennifer Kessy, who earned a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
"When I met with the team it felt so comfortable, because I've been in their shoes before," Simpson said. "Our administration is dedicating a full-time coach to our beach volleyball program and we're going to be in it together. I feel with my playing experience I have a unique knowledge base to share and pass forward with this generation of players and I'm completely committed to the process."
Following her beach volleyball career, Simpson spent two decades working in the Biotech and health care leadership field in California. She kept involved in the volleyball community, serving as a broadcaster for Fox Sports Net, ESPN and other outlets.
As her son, Colby, a tight end signed to play football next fall at Tulane, reached high school, many of his friends requested Simpson come lend her vast knowledge to the Oaks Christian High School beach volleyball team. In her first season, OCHS won the CIF D2 championship and Simpson also led the program to back-to-back Marmonte League titles.
"With my son finishing up high school and set to head off to college, I thought this was a perfect time to return to my passion of coaching volleyball," Simpson said. "Once I started with Oaks Christian and we won that CIF D2 championship, I just thought 'I'm back'.
"I feel really confident that I know how to win," Simpson continued. "I've been winning on and off the court and throughout my professional career. I'm going to pass that knowledge on to this team."
The Southeastern beach volleyball team will open the 2026 season in February.
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