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Promoted to Associate Head Coach on January 20th, 2022, Nick Zimmerman has been an integral part of the Bulldog soccer program since January 23, 2019. Previously, he honed his coaching skills as an assistant coach at Columbus State University from 2015 to 2018.
 
Zimmerman has a rich background in developing talent, coaching 31 Peach Belt All-Conference award winners, 23 DII All-Region winners, 10 DII All-Americans, and six DII Scholar All-Americans. He also coached two Elite 90 Award winners and the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year.
 
Zimmerman specializes in working with the Bulldogs’ forwards and midfielders, a focus that has yielded impressive results. In the 2023 season, he played a pivotal role in leading the Dawgs to score 26 goals, with an impressive .421 shots on goal percentage. State pushed the pace, averaging 12.2 shots per game. His contributions were a key factor in the Mississippi State Soccer Staff being named the 2023 NCAA Southeast Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. The team achieved a historic milestone by being ranked 14th in the nation by both United Soccer Coaches and TopDrawerSoccer, marking the first end-of-season ranking in program history.
 
In the 2022 season, his offensive strategies brought the Bulldogs to life, achieving 282 shots and 123 shots on goal, both ranking ninth in school history. The team’s 28 goals also made the top 10, marking the first time since 2018 that the Bulldogs outscored their opponents by more than five goals.
 
During his third season, the Bulldogs adopted a more aggressive offensive approach, with 194 shot attempts and 88 on goal. Despite the challenges of the 2020 season due to the global pandemic, Zimmerman led the team to a strong finish. Over a 13-game season, the Bulldogs averaged 1.38 goals per game and 12 shots per game. The spring segment was particularly notable, with 11 different players assisting on 11 goals across four matches and seven different goal scorers.
 
Zimmerman’s first season in Starkville was marked by setting new program records for goals, assists, and points in conference play. The Bulldogs averaged 15.1 shots per game in SEC play, ranking fourth in the league. His technical guidance was evident as nine Bulldogs scored at least once in 2019, including six first-time scorers, and 16 players recorded points, the highest since 2008.
 
Before joining Mississippi State, Zimmerman was pivotal in building a top-three scoring offense at Columbus State University. The Lady Cougars set a program record of 96 goals in 2016, leading the nation with 4.0 goals per game, and improved to 4.05 goals per game the following year. His tenure at CSU included multiple championships, including the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships, and a national championship appearance.
 
In addition to his college coaching experience, Zimmerman has worked with Region II, US Soccer NTC, and ID2 US Club Soccer. He has been on staff at elite camps at the University of Virginia and Florida State University and served as the head coach for the Georgia Girls’ Olympic Development Program (ODP) 2000 Team. He is also a U.S. Soccer Federation coaching course instructor and has been part of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Ranking and Awards Board. Zimmerman holds a USSF “B” License.
 
As a player, Zimmerman was a standout at James Madison University, earning All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rookie team recognition, two All-CAA selections, and one All-Region honor. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and sports management, he was drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and later selected by the Philadelphia Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft. He played with Carolina Railhawks FC in the NASL, earning NASL Best XI honors in 2012 and finishing second in the Golden Boot race. His professional career concluded with the Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL in 2015.
 
A Tampa, Florida native, Zimmerman also represented the U.S. U-15 National Team in 2001. His extensive playing and coaching experience make him a valuable asset to the Mississippi State Bulldog soccer program.