Zimmerman begins his third year as compliance coordinator at Gannon in 2017-18. He assumed the position in late 2015 after being a member of the football coaching staff for nine years, Zimmerman returned to the collegiate level in 2007 after spending the previous four years in the private business sector. Among his responsibilities at Gannon the last nine seasons have been director of football operations, recruiting coordinator, academic coordinator, linebackers coach, defensive line coach and offensive line coach.
Several Gannon defensive linemen excelled under Zimmerman. Randy Colling, who finished his collegiate career in 2011 after being a Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year finalist, was among those in a string of great linemen. After his collegiate career, he was invited to Rookie Camp for the National Football League’s New York Jets and Green Bay Packers. He currently plays for the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League where he was the team’s leader in sacks and tackles for a loss in 2013. He later signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, before returning to Cleveland. A six-time All-American, Colling finished second all-time at Gannon in career sacks (25) and 12th in tackles (220). His 48 career tackles for a loss were 6.5 shy of the school record. In 2008, Chris Murphy became the first Gannon player selected to the Cactus Bowl since 1995. He concluded his career as a two-time all-conference performer. Colling was a three-time all-region selection while Matt Ward earned all-region honors in 2008. Only one other defensive lineman in school history has been named to an all-region team prior to Zimmerman’s tenure at Gannon.
Zimmerman previously served as the defensive coordinator at Lakeland College in 2002. Prior to his stay at Lakeland, Zimmerman was an assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State for three seasons. He coached linebackers, the defensive line and tight ends during his tenure at SVSU. He also served as the Fitness Center Director, Equipment Room Supervisor and as an athletic academic advisor there. Zimmerman coached four seasons (1995-98) at Michigan Tech, where he was an offensive line and defensive line coach. In addition to his coaching duties at MTU, he was an instructor with the school’s physical education department.
In previous positions, Zimmerman coached the offensive line and linebackers while teaching in the Physical Education Department at Northern Michigan University for five seasons (1986-90). He coached three seasons (1983-85) at Michigan State University as a graduate assistant with the offensive line, served as the inside linebackers coach for one season (1982) at New Mexico State University and coached linebackers for three seasons (1979-81) as a student assistant and graduate assistant at NMU.
Zimmerman is a 1981 graduate of Northern Michigan University, where he earned a degree in Business Management. He later earned his Master of Arts in Physical Education from Michigan State in 1994.
Zimmerman has been a registered sports official with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) since 2003. He has officiated baseball, softball, volleyball and basketball contests. In addition, he had been the District 17 Umpire-in-Chief for the Michigan Amateur Softball Association (MASA) from 2004-07. Zimmerman and his wife, Suzette, have three daughters, Kadie Marie (29), Kelsea Rae (26), and Kortney Ann (23). Kadie and Kortney are former members of the Gannon volleyball team.
