Stuart W. Cramer High School has a new head football coach.

The Storm’s football program will be led by Ashton Simmons, a succesful assistant from northwest North Carolina.

Simmons is just the second head coach in the history of the Gaston County high school, which opened in 2013.

Ben McMillan opened the school as the football coach and led the team for 11 seasons before Cramer decided to move in a different direction this offseason. The first coach had a combined win-loss record of 44-75. From 2016-18, McMillan led them to three consecutive N.C. High School Athletic Association playoff appearances and final records of 7-5, 8-5, and 7-5. McMillan also led the Storm to the postseason in 2021 and 2022.

A graduate of North Surry High School and Appalachian State University, Simmons became a coach qucikly after college. Over stops at Mount Airy, North Surry, and Starmount high schoools, Simmons has been an offensive coordinator, quarterback and running back coach, special teams coordinator, and JV head coach under the leadership of top head coaches like J.K. Adkins, Greg Lloyd, and Kelly Holder.

Cramer is coming off of a 2-8 overall season in 2024, but the Storm have some exciting players set to return.

With an average daily membership of 953 students this school year, Cramer is set to become a 4A program when te NCHSAA realigns into eight classifications this year.

The Storm were placed into the Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A Conference with 2As Cherryville and Highland Tech, 3As Bessemer City, Lincolnton, Shelby, and West Lincoln, as well as fellow 4As Burns and East Gaston.

Here is the full press release that was sent out by Stuart W. Cramer High School:

Stuart W. Cramer High School announces the hiring of Ashton Simmons as the new head football coach. Simmons brings a wealth of experience to the job as well as a passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field.

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Simmons has spent the past several years coaching at multiple levels, excelling in offensive and defensive strategy, player development, and team leadership. His previous coaching roles include time at Mount Airy High School, Starmount High School, and North Surry High School, where he served in positions such as offensive coordinator, quarterback coach, running back coach, special teams coordinator, and junior varsity coach.

Beyond his time on the field, Simmons has demonstrated a commitment to program development, including game planning, skill development, film analysis, and community outreach. With his leadership, attention to detail, and ability to connect with student-athletes, he will be a valuable asset to Stuart W. Cramer High School.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Simmons,” said Dr. Jessica Steiner, principal of Stuart W. Cramer High School. “His experience, dedication, and vision for our football program will be instrumental in fostering a competitive and disciplined team that builds on the program’s strong foundation.”

Stuart W. Cramer athletic director Mike Patton added, “We are excited to welcome Coach Simmons to ‘The Storm’ to lead our football program into the future. Coach Simmons has worked with several well-respected head football coaches in winning programs, including Kelly Holder, J.K. Adkins, and Greg Lloyd. We look forward to working with Coach Simmons as he takes the helm of our football program.”

Simmons stated, “Storm Nation, I am excited to be named the next head football coach at Stuart W. Cramer High School. I am ready to begin this new chapter in life with you.
Thank you to Dr. Steiner, Coach Patton, and the rest of ‘The Storm’ team for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to meeting all of you soon, and I can’t wait to get to work.”

Simmons, who is currently at Mount Airy High School, plans to meet the players, assistant coaches, and others associated with the football program in the next few weeks ahead of his plans to join the Stuart W. Cramer family for the 2025-2026 school year.