Covenant Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Eli Kaczinski has announced Lilly Simms as his new Assistant Coach.
Simms arrives from Cumberland University, where she served as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. There, she supported the Head Coach in leading daily practices, managing travel logistics, and overseeing team equipment. While at Cumberland she obtained her Masters in Sport Management.
"I am thrilled to welcome Lilly to the coaching staff! I believe she is going to use the experience she gained at Cumberland to help us cultivate disciples and coach athletes in their God-given gifts," Kaczinski said.
"Lilly is passionate about coaching and I believe she is going to bring in new ideas that will further deepen our culture of excellence."
A decorated student-athlete during her undergraduate career at Maryville College, Simms was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and the 2019 USA South Rookie Runner of the Year. She still holds the school record in the 5k for Cross Country. At Maryville, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Developmental Psychology.
"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Kaczinski and the rest of the coaching staff at Covenant", Simms said. "Running has played a huge role in shaping my relationship with Jesus Christ, so it's really special that I get the privilege of mentoring the next generation of athletes as they grow in both their faith and running journeys. I can't wait to see what's ahead for both the men's and women's teams this fall!"
Outside of collegiate athletics, Simms gained hands-on experience at Fleet Feet Mt. Juliet, where she worked as an outfitter, helping customers find optimal gear through personalized data analysis and individual needs.
Most recently, she interned at Nashville Superspeedway, where she assisted with ticket sales and fan engagement. Her role included managing fan accounts through CRM software, organizing promotional events, and supporting race day operations.
Simms' first official day is set for August 4th, with Covenant's first meet scheduled for August 30th in Chattanooga.