LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- The Lafayette Parish School System has announced the passing of Coach James Simmons Jr., longtime Athletic Director for the district.

"Coach Simmons dedicated more than three decades of his life to the students and schools of Lafayette Parish, serving as a coach, mentor, leader, and advocate for student-athletes," a news release from LPSS said. "As Athletic Director, he was known not only for his unwavering commitment to excellence in athletics, but also for the profound care and respect he showed to every student, educator, and colleague he encountered."

Simmons graduated from Jonas Henderson High School in New Iberia (later renamed Westgate High School) and Southern University. After serving in the U.S. Army, he joined Crowley High School as a track coach before moving to Acadiana High School to coach track and football in 1984, just in time to help coach the Wreckin' Rams to a 10-0 regular season on the gridiron.

He was hired as athletic director of all LPSS schools in 1990.

“Coach Simmons was the heart of our athletic programs and a true servant leader,” said Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. “His legacy will live on in the lives of the countless young people he inspired both on and off the field.”

Simmons was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

"The Lafayette Parish School System extends its deepest condolences to the Simmons family, his friends, and all who had the honor of knowing and working with him," the release read. "His impact will be felt for generations to come."

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