Longwood head men’s basketball coach Ronnie Thomas announced two key additions to his staff on Thursday. Emmanuel Matey has been named assistant coach, while Adam Simmons joins as Director of Basketball Operations.
Both bring valuable experience from successful programs and are expected to elevate the Lancers in the coming seasons.
Emmanuel Matey: From Campbell Success to Longwood Sidelines
Matey comes to Longwood after two productive seasons at Campbell. During his tenure, he helped guide the Fighting Camels to 29 wins, including an 18-18 record in CAA play. As an assistant coach last season, Campbell started 9-3 in conference play and finished 10-8 in the CAA.
“Emmanuel is someone who truly embodies what it means to pour into student-athletes,” said Thomas. “His energy, heart for people, and unwavering dedication align seamlessly with my leadership style.”
Matey played a key role in developing standout players like Colby Duggan, an All-CAA First Team selection who averaged 19.9 points per game in league play, and Nolan Dorsey, the CAA Defensive Player of the Year. In his first season at Campbell, Matey also coached Anthony Dell’Orso, who earned Second Team All-CAA honors.
Before Campbell, Matey served as a graduate assistant at VCU under Mike Rhoades. He helped VCU capture both the A10 regular season and tournament titles, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. During that historic season, Matey worked closely with Ace Baldwin Jr., the A10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Matey’s coaching journey began on the Nike EYBL circuit with Team Takeover and at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, his alma mater. As a player, he competed collegiately at Morgan State and Gannon University, where he was a team captain and helped Gannon finish second in the PSAC West.
Matey holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Gannon (2017) and a master’s in sports leadership from VCU (2023).
Adam Simmons: From Vanderbilt Operations to Longwood’s Next Step
Adam Simmons joins Longwood after two seasons with Vanderbilt, where he contributed to a 20-win season and an NCAA Tournament appearance. At Vanderbilt, Simmons assisted with recruiting, player development, video analysis, and daily operations.
“Adam is the definition of a tireless worker,” Thomas said. “His attention to detail and relentless pursuit of excellence is a tremendous example of what it means to be a part of our program.”
Simmons brings a background of hands-on experience in college basketball operations. Before Vanderbilt, he served as a lead student manager at the University of Wisconsin. There, he directed a team of 16 student managers and supported coaches with recruiting, analytics, and player development.
Simmons earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing, supply chain management, and real estate from Wisconsin. He later completed his master’s degree in leadership and organizational performance at Vanderbilt.
“I’m ecstatic to join Coach Thomas, his staff, and the Longwood community,” Simmons said. “Longwood basketball has been building a commitment to excellence over the years. To become a part of that is a tremendous opportunity.”
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