On May 13, Jacob Simon, a 2018 graduate and former student-athlete for the university, was named the new head coach of Seton Hall’s cross country programs, Director of Athletics Bryan Felt announced in a university-issued press release.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob, his wife Isabella—also a Seton Hall cross country alum—and their children home to Seton Hall,” Felt said in the press release. “Throughout the interview process, [Simon] exhibited a coaching style and philosophy that aligns perfectly with our student-athlete-centric vision here at Seton Hall.”
This marks the first time SHU’s Cross Country program has undergone a coaching change since 1972, when the university hired a young graduate student named John Moon.
In the 53 years since, Moon has become one of the most successful coaches in the nation. During his tenure, he has led the university to several Big East titles and NCAA championship appearances, while producing numerous All-American student-athletes. In doing so, he helped elevate SHU’s cross country program from perennial success to national prominence. Moon is widely respected by his peers and has been inducted into several halls of fame, including his most recent induction into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
Earlier this year, Moon announced his plans to retire at the end of this season, bringing an end to his legendary coaching career.
With Simon set to succeed him, Felt also noted how fitting it was that he has become a coach after being a student-athlete under Moon. From 2014 to 2018, Simon ran cross country for SHU under Moon’s guidance. During his college career, Simon was consistently one of the team’s top finishers and a three-time Big East All-Academic team honoree. He captained the team during his senior season before earning his bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the university.
Since graduating from SHU, Simon has gained experience coaching cross country along the East Coast. While earning his master’s degree in Sports Administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Simon began his coaching career as a student assistant for the university in 2019.
He then moved to New Jersey City University the next season, where he served as the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for the university’s men’s and women’s cross country programs.
Simon also served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida from 2021 to 2024, where he was a part of the coaching staff for four national championships, including the 2022 NCAA Women’s Indoor and Outdoor titles and the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Men’s Outdoor titles. In 2023, he helped the women’s cross country program post one of their best seasons in program history: the team won the SEC Championship and placed fifth at the NCAA Cross Country Championships—the best finish in school history. That same season, then-junior distance runner Parker Valby, captured the individual NCAA Outdoor Championship title as well.
Following his success in Florida, Simon became the head cross country and assistant track and field coach at Southern New Hampshire University, where he oversaw all aspects of the men’s and women’s programs during the 2024-2025 season.
Now, Simon returns to his alma mater, excited to continue the legacy of success he was part of as a student-athlete at the university.
“I am super excited for the opportunity to be the next cross country head coach at The Hall,” Simon said. “As an alum, I take a lot of pride in this program and owe a great deal of my career and family to this place.”
With his retirement less than a month away, Moon had high praise for his former student-athlete turned head coach: “[Simon] is a former runner of mine whose dedication to the sport will make him hungry to win,” Moon said. “He has a wide view of sports and an even wider view of athlete development.”
Moon expressed that he has full confidence in Simon’s ability to “build upon and expand the legacy” that he left at SHU.
Despite the pressure of succeeding someone like Moon, Simon is ready to embrace what could be the biggest challenge of his career.
“Following in [Moon’s] legendary footsteps is going to be a challenge,” Simon said, “but [it is] one I am willing and ready to accept head-on.”
Confident in his coaching ability, Simon expressed how eager he is to get started.
“I am eager to come back home to get to work and look forward to the next chapter in history for the Pirates distance program,” he said.
Zachary Mawby is the head editor for The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at zachary.mawby@student.shu.edu.
