A legendary figure in the world of high school athletics, Pat Simpson has left an enduring legacy through his exceptional contributions as a wrestler, coach, and mentor.

A proud graduate of Father Ryan High School, Class of 1974, Simpson was a key member of Father Ryan’s state champion wrestling teams in 1971 as a freshman and 1974 as a senior. His excellence on the mat continued at the collegiate level, where he became a trailblazer for Middle Tennessee State University. In 1979, Simpson made history as the only MTSU wrestler to win an NCAA Regional championship and became the first Blue Raider to compete in the NCAA Championships, a remarkable achievement that would set the tone for his future as a coach.

In 1979, Simpson returned to his alma mater, Father Ryan, where he would dedicate himself to building a powerhouse wrestling program that has since earned legendary status. As the head wrestling coach at Father Ryan from 1979 to the present, Simpson has led the team to 22 state championships with 12 traditional and 10 dual titles. Under his leadership, Father Ryan has become one of the most successful wrestling programs in the state, with 63 individual state champions who have collectively won an astounding 93 state titles.

In addition to his success on the mat, Simpson has been a pillar of leadership in the athletic department. His coaching excellence extends beyond wrestling; he served as the head softball coach at Father Ryan from 1987 to 1997, leading the team to its first state championship in 1995 and a runner-up finish in 1996. Over his 11 years at the helm of the softball program, he accumulated more than 190 wins and built a foundation of excellence in multiple sports at Father Ryan.

Simpson was National Prep Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 2016 and 2023.

He became the first wrestler to be inducted into the Middle Tennessee State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021, joining his former teacher and fellow Father Ryan alum Boots Donnelly.