Between early mornings at the hospital, long hours in class, and evenings spent on the volleyball court, Coach Jamie Simpson’s days are always busy. In fact, at a glance, they seem almost impossible. But despite his packed schedule, his energy and optimism never seem to fade.
Simpson is currently a Unit Coordinator in the Burn ICU at UC Health and a full-time student at the University of Cincinnati. He is working toward a degree to become a Surgical Technician, a career path that was encouraged by his surgeon friends at UC Health. On top of all that, Simpson is a high school girls’ volleyball coach for the White Oak Athletic Club.
Simpson’s days start in the early morning. On workdays, he wakes up around 5 a.m., showers, and then grabs an iced coffee before starting work at 7. After work, he heads home to study or prepare for the next day. On his days off, he catches up on homework or attends his in-person classes. Between working 40 hours a week and taking 15 credit hours, he still finds time for his passion: volleyball.
This season marks his second as a coach, and his team has already proven their strength by becoming Cincinnati Premier Youth Volleyball League (CPYVL) champions and finishing second in tournaments. “It’s a great feeling, but more of a proud moment,” Simpson said. “The girls did amazing, and I couldn’t ask for a better team.”
Alongside him on the court is Coach Heather Blaker, who said the team’s success reflects Simpson’s positive energy and leadership. “He brings fun into everything he does,” Blaker states. Even when practices are tough, he knows how to keep everyone motivated and focused.
That attitude is shaped by the values his family taught him early on. “My biggest inspiration is my mom,” he said, “she has always had a positive look on situations and always wanted to try her best. I try to apply the same attitude and energy in everything I do.” Simpson’s mom also taught him that in anything he does, he should “do it with a smile.”
His coaching techniques are simple. Simpson builds trust, communicates, and celebrates progress. Early in the season, the team struggled with those two elements, but he said watching them grow was one of his proudest moments. “…we built that trust, and that helped with the communication part as well,” Simpson said. “And I’m very proud of that.”
When it comes to motivating players, he focuses on encouragement and constructive feedback. “I start off with something positive they’re doing and then add something to work on,” he said. “Like, ‘Your passes have improved so much! One small tweak is…’” and that keeps his players motivated without getting discouraged.
But even the best of coaches face challenges. For Simpson, learning to stay calm when things go wrong has been key. “I’ve had to remind myself not to get upset about things we can’t control,” he said, “getting frustrated doesn’t help anyone. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and breathe.”
His players often see him as fun and good-natured, but outside of volleyball, he likes to unwind by playing video games or hanging out with friends. He also plays on a recreational sand volleyball team, keeping the sport part of his everyday life.
After a decade in volleyball, what started as a casual invitation from a friend’s mom in high school has turned into a lifelong passion. “Success to me is happiness,” he said simply. When Simpson is doing what he loves, that’s what matters most.
With his team’s recent championship, a demanding hospital job, and a bright future in surgical technology ahead, Coach Simpson has found a routine that supports his hobbies and passions. Simpson is the epitome of hard work, positivity, and success.
And if his players have learned anything from him, it’s that a smile and determination can turn even the toughest of challenges into comebacks worth celebrating.
