It wasn’t a text message he was waiting for, but it was certainly one he was more than happy to get.
A few weeks ago, John Simpson was enjoying his summer when he got a text message from Franklin Towne Charter CEO Brianna O’Donnell.
Long before O’Donnell was running the school, she was one of the best coaches in the area, leading the Warriors girls basketball team and girls soccer team.
She realizes what an important role a coach can play not just for a team but for a school. So when the boys soccer coaching job opened, O’Donnell knew exactly whom to contact.
“It wasn’t planned at all, O’Donnell texted me and it was the best text I could have received,” Simpson said. “She asked me if I would want to coach because they didn’t have one. I think I got the text on a Wednesday and on Friday, I signed a contract. I had to make sure I could get it done with work, but after that there was no thought about it. I was going to say yes.
“I wasn’t really looking to get into coaching, but this was my first August without a preseason. Now I got a preseason. I’m so excited and to be honest, it’s just an honor to be asked.”
Simpson was a star at Franklin Towne Charter before graduating in 2020. He guided the Warriors to a Public League championship during his senior year.
He continued his soccer career at Penn State Brandywine before transferring to Penn State Abington to finish his playing career.
He has an internship and one class to finish up this semester before he’ll graduate. Now he just got a little busier.
“I hope I’ll be a good one, that’s my goal,” Simpson said. “I liked a coach that always supported his players and would be there for them, really. That’s what I want to be like. I’ll have to learn a lot as I go but I’m lucky to have a lot of people I can ask for help. I’ve been lucky to be around some great coaches.”
Including at Abington, where he was coached by North Catholic great Pat Morris.
The former Kixx player helped Simpson a lot after he transferred to the Montgomery County school. Simpson knows that any help he needs is a phone call away.
“I mean, it’s going to be a challenge, but I have a lot of people who are helping me out, and that’s going to really help,” Simpson said. “Pat Morris, I played at Abington the past two years, I’ve reached out to him. He was excited and said he would help with anything. He’s one of the best coaches around, the best coach I’ve ever had in my life. I know if I need anything, he’s proud that I got this job and he’s going to help me.”
He also knows there’s help in the school.
“That was one of the reasons I wanted to come back here, I love it here,” Simpson said. “We have a great CEO and a great athletic director. Franklin Towne takes sports very seriously and I’m going to take soccer very seriously. I really don’t know a lot about the team, but I’ve started to meet (the players) and I like what we have.”
Franklin Towne enjoyed a strong season last year, going 8-1 in Public League play, and advancing to the Public League semifinals before falling to Masterman.
It was a good showing for the Warriors but the new coach has higher expectations.
He wants Franklin Towne to be among the best teams in the area and that means competing for a Public League championship.
And he’s ready to get to work.
“I’m hoping to bring back the success we had when I was playing here, winning championships,” Simpson said. “We’ve had successful years, but no championships since I left. We’re here to compete for a championship. When I played here, FTC kids were always hard working and will never quit. It’s city kids. Tough kids who like to compete. I know that’s what we got, and that’s what you need to win.”
He’s excited to get started.
He’s also excited to see all of Franklin Towne’s supporters come out. He knows who will be front and center.
“I’m excited, my family is very supportive, I know my grandfather will be at a lot of games, he’s always there for me,” Simpson said. “Franklin Towne is a great school and kids love playing there. It’s a great school, it’s a charter school and one of the best educations around. It definitely prepared me for college. Both the classes and playing sports.”
He’s looking forward to getting started, and he’s hoping it’s the start of a long run at his alma mater.
“I definitely would love to do this long term,” Simpson said. “I’d love to find a job where I could make it work and do both. I really love soccer and would love to be part of the school for a while. I love it here. It’s the perfect job for me.” ••
