Arkansas’ most successful collegiate football program over the last three years announced major changes Tuesday.
Paul Simmons will step away from his role as head coach of the Harding University football team to assume the newly created position of general manager, where he will oversee fundraising, roster management, camps and other aspects of the program. Taking Simmons’ place as head coach will be longtime defensive coordinator Roddy Mote.
“We are so appreciative of Coach Simmons and the work, time, and energy he has put into leading our Bison Football program,” said Harding Athletic Director Jeff Morgan. “We are incredibly grateful for his decision to use this next chapter of his career to help drive this program to even greater heights.”
Simmons went 92-16 (.852) in his eight seasons as head coach, including a 42-3 run over the last three seasons that included the 2023 NCAA Division II national championship and a national runner-up finish in 2025. Employing a run-heavy, option-oriented offense, the Bisons became the first college football program at any level to rush for over 7,000 yards in a single season in 2025.
Stepping into Simmons’ shoes will be Mote, a former Harding quarterback/running back and 1989 graduate who has served as an assistant coach for the Bisons on three separate occasions. Though sometimes overshadowed by Harding’s explosive rushing attack, Mote oversaw one of the best defensive units in the country, with Harding leading Division II in total defense in 2018, 2019 and 2024.
Mote has also served as head coach of Harding Academy, winning two state championships.
“Coach Mote has earned this opportunity over many years as the top defensive coordinator in all of Division II,” Simmons said. “He has a clear vision for where he wants to take the team, and I have great confidence in his vision. My role is to make sure he has every resource he needs for the Bisons to compete at an elite level.”
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