MEET THE TEAM

Born and raised in Suffolk, Virginia, Coach Zimmerman developed his passion for soccer while growing up and competing throughout the Hampton Roads area. During his youth career, he played with Virginia Rush, Virginia Rush Select, and VB City, gaining experience in highly competitive environments both locally and internationally. His playing career gave him the opportunity to compete in countries including Italy, Costa Rica, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. Primarily a center back, Coach Zimmerman built his game around communication, physicality, leadership, decision-making, and reading the field.

 

Coach Zimmerman continued his career at Bluefield University, where he played collegiate soccer for three years at the NAIA level. He also gained semi-professional playing experience. Competing at different levels helped shape his understanding of the technical, tactical, physical, and mental demands required to continue developing as a player.

 

After injuries changed the direction of his playing career, Coach Zimmerman transitioned his passion for the game into coaching. He has been coaching for approximately four years and has provided private training for the past three. He currently coaches at Nansemond River High School and serves as the Head Boys Soccer Coach at John Yeates Middle School. Through team coaching and private training, he has worked with players ranging from beginners and middle-school athletes to high-school, competitive club, and college-level players.

 

Coach Zimmerman’s coaching philosophy centers around high-intensity training, soccer IQ, decision-making, communication, and confidence. He believes soccer is much more than a player’s ability with the ball at their feet. Players must learn to recognize space, understand movement, anticipate what happens next, make decisions under pressure, and understand when and why to use the skills they develop in training. His sessions are designed to challenge players technically, physically, and mentally while helping them recognize that they are capable of pushing beyond the limits they may have set for themselves.

 

Known for his high energy and constant communication, Coach Zimmerman takes an adaptable approach to player development. He understands that every athlete learns differently and works to explain concepts in ways that connect with each individual player while maintaining high expectations. He wants players to feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, competing, and challenging themselves while still being held accountable for their effort, attitude, and development.

 

For Coach Zimmerman, success goes beyond becoming a better soccer player. He wants athletes to leave training with greater confidence, discipline, leadership, work ethic, and belief in themselves. His own experiences overcoming injuries have also influenced the way he coaches. He emphasizes preparation, recovery, mobility, nutrition, hydration, and developing healthy habits that can help players stay on the field and continue pursuing their goals.

 

Whether working with a player who is touching a soccer ball for the first time or an experienced athlete preparing for the next level, Coach Zimmerman enjoys the challenge of helping each player discover how far they can go. His goal is to provide players with the knowledge, competitive environment, honest feedback, and encouragement needed to continue developing both on and off the field.