Saskatchewan coach Pat Simmons with skip Robyn Silvernagle at Friday's practice session (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

PAT SIMMONS

Simmons, former Brier champion in Kamloops, returns as Saskatchewan coach at Scotties

Feb 21, 2023 | 1:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — The last time a major curling championship was in Kamloops — the 2014 Brier — it was Team Alberta hoisting the trophy.

Pat Simmons was the third on Kevin Koe’s victorious rink.

Nearly a decade later, Simmons is back at the Sandman Centre, but this time as coach of Team Saskatchewan.

“Great to be here. Lots of great memories. That was a great week for us,” he noted. “Really remember how exciting the final was, how full it was in here, obviously playing B.C. Great to be back, lots of great memories.”

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Simmons is leading the Robyn Silvernagle rink, which came together last minute before winning the Saskatchewan playdowns.

“And they didn’t have a coach, so I’m starting here. I’ve worked with this team in the past a little bit — bits and pieces, not everyone obviously,” he said.

It hasn’t been a good week for Saskatchewan, which are 1-4 after Tuesday morning’s action. However, Silvernagle says Simmons has been a calming influence.

“His whole demeanor, it’s just infectious and it helps keep us a little bit more calm,” noted Silvernagle about Simmons’ approach. “Whenever we call timeouts, he’s nice and calm and knows what to say and how to present it. Those seem to be very effective.”

Simmons is joining a handful of other successful men’s champions coaching at the Scotties this week. Glenn Howard, a four-time Brier and world champion, coaching Jennifer Jones and Team Manitoba. Reid Carruthers is coaching Kerri Einarson and Team Canada, himself a Brier and world champion. Two-time world champion Rick Lang has Northern Ontario under his watch, while Ryan Fry, part of Team Brad Jacobs’ run of Brier and Olympic success, is coaching Rachel Homan’s Ontario rink.

For Simmons, coaching is a lot more hands-off than as a player, but he says the same fundamentals still apply.

“You don’t control as much obviously. Lots of work with the coaching part. Obviously we’re tracking rocks and trying to keep an eye on the ice and help out where we can, so it’s good too,” he said.

Simmons was hoping to make it two national championship in this city, but with the Silvernagle rink having a tough week near the bottom of Pool A, it’s not meant to be.