Ken Simpson joined the Garfield High School softball coaching staff in 2016 and was the head coach for four seasons, from 2018 to 2021. Ken led the Bulldogs to a historic 2019 season, winning Metro League, SeaKing District, and State Championships. This was the first ever state title for any Seattle Public School. The team was a perfect 14-0 in regular season and 10-0 in playoffs. Two players were named All-Americans, four players were named All-State, and one was also named 3A State Player of the Year. Ken was named WIAA 3A State Coach of the Year, SBLive State Coach of the Year, and Seattle Star Times All-Area Coach of the Year.

In 2016, Ken’s first year with the program, the team placed 8th in Seattle Metros, won their first playoff game, and qualified for District Championships. The Bulldogs built upon this success in 2017 by winning 19 games and qualifying for the WA State Championship tournament for the first time in school history. In 2018, the team posted a perfect 18-0 record in the regular season, finished 3rd in Seattle Metros, won 2nd in Sea-King Districts, and finished 9th at State after winning Garfield’s first ever state tournament game. In 2018, the program had its first ever Metro MVP, first Seattle Times All-Area team selections (2) and first ever All-State selections (2).