NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Derek Sims has been named Interim Head Coach of the IU Southeast women's basketball program for the 2024-25 season, Athletic Director Tod Bannister announced today.
 
"The IU Southeast Athletic Department is excited to bring Derek Sims on board to lead our women's basketball team," Bannister said. "Derek adds a unique skill set to the program and I anticipate that the student-athletes will enjoy the energy he brings with him to practice every day."
 
"Thank you to Tod Bannister, our assistant coaches and the entire IUS staff for trusting me to lead this great group of women," Derek Sims said. "These ladies have been very positive and hardworking throughout this transition. Buying into a new culture is not easy. Their understanding that giving 110 percent on every rep every day is starting to pay off! We're extremely excited to get the season started."
 
"I would like to thank Robin Farris for his hard work and dedication the past 35 years. His loyalty and commitment to the women's basketball program and the IUS community are the foundation that helped build this program."
 
Sims comes over from the men's basketball program, where he was an assistant coach for 11 seasons.
 
"Special thanks to Wiley Brown for giving me an opportunity to learn from him during my time as his assistant," Sims said. "His friendship means the world to me!"
 
Sims also has previous coaching experience at the high school level. He spent one year as the associate head coach for the boys' varsity team at Seneca High School and four years at his alma mater, Moore High School, as assistant boys' varsity coach.
 
From 2019-22, he was the associate head coach and head JV coach at Floyd Central High School. The Highlanders had a 51-14 record and won two sectional championships during his tenure as the associate head coach. His JV record was 47-7, and the team set a school record with a 19-1 campaign in 2020.
 
Prior to coaching, Sims played at IU Southeast from 1999-2002. He was a two-year captain as a Grenadier.