Philadelphia Union original Nick Zimmerman named Mississippi State head coach

A player from the Philadelphia Union’s inaugural season has risen to the ranks of Division 1 women’s soccer head coach with the recent announcement that Nick Zimmerman will be taking over as Mississippi State’s head coach.

Zimmerman, 37, has spent the last six seasons in Starkville as an assistant coach under James Armstrong, who recently left the program to take the head job at Auburn.

“In Nick Zimmerman’s time at Mississippi State, we have seen first-hand that he is a relentless recruiter, a great developer of talent and a fearless competitor who instills confidence in the young women he leads,” Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said in a news release. “Nick has a clear plan for what Mississippi State Soccer can accomplish, and we know our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans are excited to see him officially at the helm. We are thrilled for Nick and Massey and know they are excited to stay home right here in Starkville, Mississippi.”

Prior to Mississippi State, Zimmerman spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Columbus State after wrapping up his playing career in USL with the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2015. He spent one season playing for the Union in 2010, making 8 first team appearances and another two appearances on loan with the Harrisburg City Islanders.

After a successful career at James Madison, the Tampa, Florida native 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 while finishing second in the Golden Boot race.

“Our players, who are resilient, talented and incredibly easy to cheer for make all our success possible,” Zimmerman said in news release. “I want to extend my gratitude to the players – past and present – who have built this program to what it is today. We cannot wait to take this special program to new heights for our community and beloved university. The resources this program has received and the plans that Zac and I have discussed make me even more excited about the bright future here in Starkville!”

Zimmerman joins a growing group of Philadelphia Union players who are succeeding as head coaches across various levels.

Former Bethlehem Steel captain and Union Academy coach James Chambers recently won the USL Championship title in his rookie season as head coach of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks while Danny Cruz was named USL Championship Coach of the Year at Louisville City. Other head coaches who played for the Union include Eduardo Coudet at La Liga club Alavés, Veljko Paunović at Tigres UANL in Liga MX, Fernando Aristeguieta at Caracas in Venezuela, Union III head coach Fred da Silva, Fairfield University men’s head coach Krystian Witkowski and Shipley School girls coach Sebastien Le Toux.