Matt Simmermon just wants to be Matt Simmermon.
The new Gloucester Catholic High School swimming coach is well aware of his predecessor Kevin Nolan, who led the Rams’ program incredible measures of success for 35 years.
The records, the championships, the wacky shirts — Simmermon is aware of all of it. And he’s not trying to be the next Kevin Nolan, just Matt Simmermon.
“Kevin has actually been giving me tips and pointers on things I need to know around here. He’s been great,” Simmermon, 27, said after the Rams won their first meet of the season Dec. 9. “I’m not trying to be Kevin. I’m just trying to be me.”
Nolan served as an assistant at the Gloucester City high school for two years before guiding the Rams as head coach for 35 years. He stepped away from coaching after last season, although he hasn’t abandoned the team as he is still seen around the pool. Nolan finished with a 435-140-1 record and had four state championship appearances. Simmermon is just getting started at the high school level, although he has coached Tri-County League summer swimming clubs Chestnut Run and Brookside. He admits he wasn’t sure about taking the job at Gloucester Catholic, but decided in favor when the team was still without a coach as the season neared.
“I thought, ‘Someone has to do it.’ This program needs to live on,” Simmermon said. “I’m happy to do it, and [Gloucester Catholic] has been great.”
Simmermon is a Woodstown High School graduate who specialized in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke during his swimming career. He currently works in the Harrison Township School District as a health and physical education teacher.
“I am very excited to welcome Coach Matt to the Gloucester Catholic family as our new swimming coach,” said Ryan Meehan, the school’s athletic director. “I believe fully that Matt will not only continue the success our program has enjoyed over the years, but take our team to an even higher level.”
That includes the task of bringing on new swimmers to fill large holes left by graduating seniors. The Rams have a small group, and many are inexperienced. But that hasn’t stopped the enthusiasm and expectations.
“The realistic goal, if I’m going to be greedy, is to have three swimmers qualify for states [this year],” Simmermon said. “I know for a fact two can, and I’m hoping someone else arises who maybe didn’t think they had that opportunity, but they find a stride. Obviously, we want to be the best of the best in the conference. We’re getting swimmers every night, and our team is growing. It’s becoming more and more possible throughout the days. I’m optimistic.”
That positivity and love of the sport is something that was embodied the last 35 years on the Gloucester Catholic side of the pool. It appears it will continue.
“I am so grateful to Coach Kevin Nolan and his staff for the overwhelming amount of time they have dedicated to Gloucester Catholic and our swimming program,” said Tom Iacovone, school principal. “It is hard to replace a legend, but I am confident that Coach Simmermon is the right person for the job to continue the legacy of success Gloucester Catholic has established in our area.”
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