Simley Graduate Gearing Up to Take Over Football Program

Young, energetic and highly motivated.

That's how Simley Activities Director Will Short described Rex King, 29, who was named Simley High School’s head football coach late last year. King, a 2000 Simley graduate, is the first Simley alum to become head football coach at the Inver Grove Heights school.

"It's a dream job," said King, who also works as a paraprofessional in the Special Education department at Simley. "I love the city of Inver Grove Heights. I love Simley. This is my community, my school, where I’m from. Because of that, I feel have a special bond with these kids; that’s why I’m excited to work with them on and off the field."

King has been coaching for nearly 10 years, including nine as an assistant football coach at Simley. He spent one year as the assistant football coach and head track and field coach at East Ridge High School. King will replace former Simley coach Claud Allaire, who led the team for two years.

King has big plans for the Simley football program, but knows he can't do it alone. That's why he's loaded his staff with former college football players, former Simley coaches and Simley alumni who all have one goal in mind: To help Simley football players become winners on and off the field. The team held a fundraiser in early April. They have youth and high school camps scheduled in the summer. To top it off, the team is planning a community barbecue. While football is played in the fall, King's knows it takes year-round dedication to build a successful program.

"I wanted to get people involved who care about the program," said King. "I want Simley football to be a winner. We want people who want the same thing involved.”

King expects the Spartans to focus on an option rushing attack, but said he is willing to adjust to the talent on the team. He also knows those who want to be a part of Simley football and be part of building a winner are going to be those kids who are in the weight room working hard, starting now, in the offseason.

Short agrees.

"Rex has a similar philosophy as I do, in that [we both believe] the success and failure of a high school football team will be based on the athletes in the weight room," he said. "A strong football team will win games. Rex has great passion for Simley and his strongest asset as a coach is his ability to build relationships with students. We have high expectations for this upcoming season."