Chad Simmons Joins On3.com as Director of Recruiting

Sports always have been a passion of mine. I grew up playing and watching sports, then got into coaching for a few years; still, I never expected to make a living covering sports.

It is a blessing not just to have a job but to have a job that you wake up wanting to do, wanting to take part in, wanting to do your best. That’s something I don’t take for granted.

I love the grind. I love being part of a team. I love the relationships I build. It is something I genuinely appreciate.

I became involved in the college football recruiting “industry” full-time in 2005. I remember talking to my wife about the opportunity and her questioning me about the Internet world, the fears of the industry lasting, the type of work I would be doing; there were concerns on her end as we were just a year into our marriage. I didn’t have those same feelings. Those who know me know I am a man of faith, that I don’t over-think things, that I go off gut instinct.

I was blessed to get into the industry at a prime time with Rivals.com, and I learned a lot about the business from so many people within that network. I owe so much to so many for helping me, and I was part of a great team led by a great boss. I worked for Shannon Terry for four years and I learned a lot about him as a leader, boss and person. Now, I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to work for him again at On3.

This next chapter is something I am excited about, and I am truly thankful to have a role.

I have seen a lot of change in the recruiting industry in the past 15 years. As in any business, you have to be willing to adapt, be open to change, to figure out what’s next, be unselfish and to see the big picture. There is nobody better than Shannon in this industry when it comes to vision, looking ahead, building for the future and staying ahead. When the opportunity arose to work for On3, I put some thought into it. I had many conversations with Shannon and I prayed on it, and it turned out to be one of the easiest decisions I have made.

I have the chance to cover elite football players from coast to coast, from middle school through high school graduation, as the Senior National Football Recruiting Analyst. I get to do something I love and am passionate about. I am going to be part of a team that has the same goals. I get to work for someone who changed the industry and will do so again with On3. I get to be part of something that will change the way recruiting is covered moving forward. There is so much to be thankful for and excited about, and I am counting down the days to the August 15 launch.

Faith is first, and family is next. Being part of the On3 family is special, and I am looking forward to being a part of that group. You will find out why in the coming weeks as Shannon continues to announce the team.

Now, it’s all about the future. On3 is in my future, and I look forward to you joining me there in a bit more than two months.