After a career that spanned 25 years in which he compiled the most victories in program history, Bruce Wilson resigned as Simpson head men's basketball coach. Storm assistant coach Charles Zanders will take over the head coaching position.
"Bruce has had a very successful career both on and off the court and is a well-respected member of the community," athletic director John Sirianni said. "Aside from his achievements as a basketball coach, Bruce helped hundreds of student-athletes graduate and move on to successful careers after basketball. He will be missed at Simpson College."
Wilson began his coaching career at Simpson in 1985, compiling a record of 341-305 in his 25 years at the helm.
Wilson's teams won the Iowa Conference championship three times (1992, 1995, 1998) and made three appearances in the NCAA Division III Championship (1992, 1995, 1996). He earned Iowa Conference Coach of the Year honors three times (1992, 1995, 1998) and was named NCAA Division III West Region Coach of the Year in 1992.
"It has been a great journey to coach and teach at my alma mater," Wilson said. "Simpson has been a special part of my family's life. We have had the opportunity to work with great people. Coaching and mentoring quality student-athletes has been very rewarding. I am pleased to have Charles Zanders become the next basketball coach. He is an excellent coach and will be a great role model for Simpson and the men's basketball program. I want to thank the Simpson community for the support they have shown me throughout my career."
A 1976 Simpson graduate, Wilson ends his career as the winningest coach in program history, passing the mark set by Frank Casey (1935-54) when he won his 241st game Nov. 27, 2001. As a student-athlete at Simpson, Wilson was a two-time all-conference selection, earning all-region honors once. He was inducted into Simpson's Hall of Fame in 1986.
Under Wilson's direction, Simpson student-athletes earned All-Iowa Conference honors 32 times, including two Iowa Conference MVPs. He coached four All-Americans, three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, two NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Winners, and 2003-04 Iowa Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, Jesse Harris. Nine of Simpson's 17 career 1,000-point scorers played under Wilson.
Zanders, who joined the staff for the 2009-10 season as the assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach, becomes the 22nd head coach in the program's 110-year history. He came to Simpson from Des Moines Hoover, where he compiled a record of 100-39 in six seasons, including an undefeated run to the Iowa State Class 4A Championship in 2006. Zanders played collegiately at Iowa Central Community College and Grand View before completing his bachelor's degree at Simpson. He earned a master's degree from Graceland last year. Zanders also serves as an academic liaison for the athletic department and a diversity recruiter for the admissions department.
Sirianni said Zanders is an impressive leader who communicates well with the players and is ready for the challenges of a collegiate head coaching position.
"Charles relates well to student-athletes," Sirianni said. "He understands that success in the classroom is as important as success on the court. His experience at the high school level and involvement with the Iowa High School Basketball Coaches Association has helped increase his visibility across the state, which will aid in recruiting."
Zanders also credited Wilson in preparing him for his new role as head coach. "Bruce is not only one of the best basketball minds I have had the opportunity to work with, he is the best role model and mentor that a young man could hope for," Zanders said. "The student-athletes who have played for coach Wilson are very fortunate young men. I wish my sons could play for him; that's how highly I think of him. It's an honor to take over a program that he built. I'm excited and ready for the challenge."