Bio

Following a stellar playing career as a Hall of Fame student-athlete and two-sport star at the University of Tampa, Eric Sims has also proven himself as an accomplished coach while serving as the team’s goalkeeping coach.

Sims is also the head coach at his alma mater, Jesuit High School, as he was hired in September of 2013. He was previously the head coach for Gaither High School’s soccer team, where he held the position from 2001 to May of 2013. At Gaither he led his teams to four district championships, 10 regional playoff appearances and three Clearwater Cup titles. Gaither also won the 2005 Admiral Cup Championship and 2004, 2011 and 1012 regional championships. He also led Gaither to three state final four appearances.

He is also the head coach for the HCUnited U15-U19 boy’s team, where he has guided the squad to four consecutive state Final Fours. The team was also the 2006 and 2008 state finalists. In 2005, the U-19 boy’s team captured the Super Y League North American Championship, which was a feat repeated in 2006 by his U-17 team. His U-16 team was also a Super Y League semifinalist in 2005.

In 2008, he became an assistant coach for goalkeeping with the Tampa Bay Hellenic of the W-League. In his first season, goalkeeper Mallori Lofton-Malachi was named the W-League Goalkeeper of the Year.

Sims has also coached women’s soccer, as he served as UT’s goalkeeping coach in 2005. The Spartans finished the season with a 14-2-2 record while advancing to the NCAA tournament and winning the Sunshine State Conference. In 2003, he held the same position at the University of South Florida, where he helped the Bulls to a second-place finish in Conference USA.

He began his coaching career in 1997 when he became the goalkeeping coach for his alma mater, Jesuit High School. His stint as the keeper coach lasted through the 1998 season as the team captured the state championship. He then served as an assistant coach from 2000-01 while helping the team to an overall 30-2 record. While winning the Class 2A state title, Jesuit was also ranked No. 1 in the nation by foxstudentsports.com.

His coaching accomplishments include being named the head coach of the Hillsborough vs. Pinellas Senior All-Star Game, which is a position he has been chosen for on eight occasions (2005-12). He is also a three-time Western Conference Coach of the Year (2004-06) and the 2004 FHSAA State Coach of the Year (Class 5A). In 2003, he was also named the head coach of the West team at the FACA Senior All-Star game.

A four-year starting goalkeeper at UT, Sims was also a dual-sport star in baseball. While recording a career record of 60-13-5, Sims was a two-time all-SSC selection and 1998 all-South Region choice. He led the Spartans to three SSC championships and two Elite Eight appearances. He set goalkeeping records for games played (74), saves (243), minutes (6,237) and shutouts (17).

He then went on to a professional career, beginning with a one-year stint with the Hampton Roads Mainers in 2000. He helped the A League Team to a playoff appearance. In 2001, he played for the Nashville Metros of the A League before moving on to the Tampa Bay Hawks of the PDL in 2002. With his hometown team, he helped the team to a conference championship. He concluded his pro career in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Kickers, as the team captured the state and Southern regional titles.

Sims starred for the Spartans as a two-sport player, also competing in baseball. A member of the 1998 national championship team, he was a two-time all-SSC and NCAA South Regional all-tournament selection and the 1996 SSC Freshman of the Year. He also owns UT single-game records with six hits and two triples in a contest. Among career leaders, he still ranks in games played (fifth, 228), games started (ninth, 156), at bats (fifth, 848), runs (sixth, 208), hits (fourth, 281) and stolen bases (second (113). He also ranks on the single season charts in runs (first) and stolen bases (second).

Sims holds a USSF A License, a USSF National Goalkeeping License, a USSF National Youth License and a NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma.

He is married to wife Erin as the couple has two sons, J.P., and Jax.