COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Two-time national coach of the year Brenda Frese announced updates to her staff this week. Ryland Adkins has been promoted to Executive Director of Operations/Chief of Staff. Mitch Simmons comes to the staff as Director of Basketball Operations.

Adkins, a Maryland graduate and former manager, returned to Frese's staff as the Director of Basketball Operations prior to the 2021-22 season. For the past four years, she has overseen the Terrapins' day-to-day operations of travel, budgeting, scheduling and equipment. Adkins has been one of the program's points of contact for the development of the Barry P. Gossett Basketball Performance Center, slated to open this fall. 

"We are excited to promote Ryland within as she has done a terrific job managing all of the details within our program," Frese said. "This reorganization now allows Ryland to focus specifically on our student-athletes and staff."

"I'm incredibly excited and honored to step into the role of Executive Director of Operations/Chief of Staff," Adkins said. "This new opportunity means so much to me. This big step in my journey gives me the chance to keep supporting our student athletes and my UMD family.  The heart, hustle, and dedication we share on and off the court continues to excite me. I'm grateful for the trust and look forward to a great future! Go Terps!"

Prior to her return to Maryland, Adkins served as the Director of Operations at Richmond, Bucknell and Furman. 

Simmons comes to College Park after serving as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Wisconsin women's basketball program from 2021-22 through the 2024-25 season. In his four seasons in Madison, Simmons oversaw the Badgers' calendar scheduling, budget, team travel and compliance. 

"We're thrilled to welcome Mitch as our Director of Operations. He is highly respected amongst his peers. He will bring a tireless work ethic, tremendous organization and will be a great team player. We can't wait for Mitch to begin with our championship team and program," Frese said.

"I am honored to join the championship culture of Maryland women's basketball and extremely grateful to Coach Frese for the opportunity," Simmons said. "The standard of excellence is nationally known and I look forward to contributing to this while supporting the program, staff, and student-athletes. I cannot wait to work alongside and become a member of a community that so strongly values women's basketball. Go Terps!"

Simmons completed the NBA's Future Basketball Operations Star program in February 2025, a program dedicated to professional development in operations. Simmons spent three seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations at Boston University from 2018-2021. 

Simmons graduated from UConn in 2018. He served as head manager for the Huskies' women's basketball program during his time in Storrs, overseeing 11 managers day-to-day.