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Steve Simpson begins his eighth season as a Terrapin assistant coach and his second managing the field hockey team's internal operations. The 1988 Maryland graduate continues to handle the Terps' travel and budget issues, in addition to his tasks involving video analysis, talent evaluation and tutoring the goalkeepers.
“Steve brings so much to the program,” said head coach Missy Meharg. “First and foremost is his coaching. He has an incredible background in video analysis. It is an honor to have him here — this program would not be where it is without Steve Simpson.”
Simpson's contributions to Maryland's program are apparent. The Terrapins have played in a school-record seven consecutive NCAA Tournaments since his arrival, in addition to the 1999 national championship and four straight ACC titles during his seven-year association with Maryland hockey.
Simpson came to the University of Maryland as an undergraduate in 1977 after attending school in England for seven years. Simpson boasts extensive international playing, coaching and officiating experience in the sport of field hockey.
Simpson played on the U.S. Under-21 team from 1977-80 and was an alternate to the U.S. National Team in 1981. He competed in four Olympic Festivals (1979, 1981, 1982 and 1983).
In addition to his ongoing experience at Maryland, Simpson has an impressive coaching resume. Simpson was an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Team at the 1997 Champions Trophy in Berlin, Germany, and the 1998 World Cup in the Netherlands. The U.S. earned an eighth-place finish at the World Cup tournament. In addition, he was an assistant coach on the 1997 U.S. U-21 men's team.
Simpson has been a coach in the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) Futures program since its inception in 1991. He has coached the Under-19 Chesapeake Futures team to the national tournament several times. Simpson led the Under-19 Futures Elite Team to Sydney, Australia in August of 2002.
Simpson has also served as the Coaching and Administrative Director for the Chesapeake Region of the Futures program. He has been an instructor for the USFHA Level One and Two coaching certification programs and has presented topics at the annual NFHCA convention. He has also authored articles that have appeared in the NFHCA newsletter.
In 1985, Simpson became a Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Umpire. He was appointed to umpire the 2001 men's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Edinburgh, Scotland. Simpson was the first person in North or South America to receive a FIH Indoor Umpire rating and was promoted to the Grade 1 level in June, 2000.
He has served as the head coach of the Washington Wolves Hockey Club since 1990.
