Nick Zimmerman joins Mississippi State women’s soccer staff

STARKVILLE (Via Mississippi State University) –New Mississippi State women’s soccer head coach James Armstrong finalized his coaching staff with the addition of Nick Zimmerman on Wednesday. Zimmerman comes to Starkville from Columbus State University where he served as an assistant coach since 2015.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nick to our staff,” Armstrong said. “This hire shows real intent that Mississippi State soccer is serious about the future. He has an incredible soccer mind and a contagious passion for the game. He is a person of outstanding character with a tireless work ethic. There is no doubt that he will be a huge asset to us on the field and in our recruiting efforts.”

During his tenure at Columbus State, Zimmerman helped build a top-three scoring offense in the nation. The Lady Cougars set a program record of 96 goals and led the nation with 4.0 goals per game in 2016. The following year, they improved to 4.05 goals per game.

+READ: James Armstrong hired as Mississippi State head coach

His first season at CSU saw the Lady Cougars win the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships on their way to a NCAA Division II national championship appearance. The following year, CSU again won the Peach Belt championship and was a national semifinalist.

Most recently, the Lady Cougars won their fifth-straight PBC regular season championship, as well as a tournament championship. CSU went on to be Southeast Regional Champions, and the CSU coaching staff was named the Southeast Regional Staff of the Year.

Zimmerman helped coach 31 Peach Belt All-Conference award winners and 23 DII All-Region winners. Ten Lady Cougars earned DII All-American Awards and six won DII Scholar All-American Awards. Two players went on to win the Elite 90 Award given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at each NCAA finals site. Most recently, he coached the Freshman of the Year in the Peach Belt Conference.

Zimmerman’s coaching experience is extensive, as he has assisted Region II, US Soccer NTC, and ID2 US Club Soccer. He has served on staff at elite camps at the University of Virginia and Florida State University. He was the Georgia Girls’ Olympic Development Program (ODP) 2000 Team’s head coach and is the director of U-4 Tots Program.

As well as serving as a coaching course instructor for the U.S. Soccer Federation, Zimmerman held a spot on the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Ranking and Awards Board. He currently holds a USSF “B” License.

“I am so blessed and grateful to be joining the Mississippi State family,” Zimmerman said. “I am beyond excited to be here and can’t wait to meet the girls and get started. I want to thank John Cohen, Jared Benko, Jay Logan and the rest of the MSU family for providing me this incredible opportunity. I also want to thank Columbus State coach Jay Entlich for his mentorship and preparing me for the next step in my career.”

Prior to his coaching career, Zimmerman was a four-year starter for James Madison University, where he earned 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 third round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He was then selected by the Philadelphia Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft.

“I also want to thank Coach James Armstrong for believing in me to join him and this incredible staff on this new journey,” Zimmerman said. “He has a brilliant soccer mind, and I look forward to learning from him.”

Zimmerman also played with Carolina Railhawks FC in the North American Soccer League (NASL), where he was named to the NASL Best XI 2012 and finished second in the league’s Golden Boot race with 12 goals. He most recently signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the United Soccer League in 2015.

The Tampa, Florida, native also played on the U.S. U-15 National Team in 2001.