Justin Simpson enters his second season as Head Coach of the Norwich University women’s ice hockey program in 2026–27, after becoming just the third head coach in the history of the nationally respected Cadets program.
In his first season, Simpson guided Norwich to one of its best seasons in program history, as the Cadets qualified for the NCAA Tournament Semifinals for the first time since 2018, won the inaugural Little East Conference Championship, defeated nationally-ranked Hamline University in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals, and rode a 23-game winning streak at one point during the season. The 2025-26 LEC Coach of the Year, Simpson saw Livia Brooks and Maggie Hunter earn LEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year plaudits.
During Norwich's NCAA Tournament run in 2025-26, Simpson was named an AHCA Division III Women's Coach of the Year finalist, while Livia Brooks, Maggie Hunter, and Madison Brunet all received All-American recognition. Alex Leslie was named the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete.
Simpson came to Norwich after a successful four-year stint at Brown University, including the 2024–25 season as Associate Head Coach. He played a central role in Brown’s steady rise, culminating in the program’s best start in 30 years and a three-week run in the national rankings. During his time in Providence, Simpson helped recruit and mentor nine ECAC Hockey All-Conference selections, including standout Jade Iginla, who earned Co-Rookie of the Year honors in 2023–24.
Before Brown, Simpson served as an assistant coach at both RIT and Colby College. At Colby, he contributed to the Mules’ best-ever finish in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and helped recruit future two-time All-American Meg Rittenhouse. His early career also includes roles as Director of Hockey Operations at Providence College and as a Video Coach for Hockey Canada.
Simpson inherits a Norwich program that finished among the national top ten in goals against average and reached the 2024–25 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Championship game. The Cadets transition into Little East Conference (LEC) play in 2025–26 and return key players including two-time All-American Livia Brooks.
A native of Ontario, Simpson earned his undergraduate degree from Laurentian University and an MBA from Providence College. He and his wife Jessica have relocated to Vermont as they embark on the next chapter of their hockey journey.
