Following the surprising departure of James Armstrong for Auburn, Mississippi State wasted no time hiring a new women’s soccer coach.
On Tuesday night, just hours after the Armstrong news broke, Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon announced Bulldog assistant Nick Zimmerman would be moving into the role of head coach. The announcement showcases the university’s goal of continuity coming off arguably the best season in program history.
“It is an honor to lead Mississippi State soccer, and we could not be more excited for the opportunity to continue the outstanding success that has been established,” Zimmerman said. “I’m incredibly grateful to Zac Selmon, (President) Dr. Mark Keenum, the mentors along the way, and all the staff and players who I have a chance to work with every single day. Our players, who are resilient, talented, and incredibly easy to cheer for make all our success possible.”
Zimmerman, who has been on staff in Starkville for six seasons, added that conversations with Selmon before pen hit the paper made for all the reasons to expand his role with Mississippi State soccer, specifically about available and incoming resources for the program.
“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,” he continued. “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 is credited for playing a crucial role in turning Mississippi State into one of the SEC’s premiere programs. In the last two seasons alone, the Bulldogs have managed two Sweet 16 appearances and ended the 2024 regular season without allowing a single goal at home. This was all the reason for Selmon to move quickly in making him the new head coach.
“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,” Selmon said. “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.”
Prior to Mississippi State, Zimmerman spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Columbus State, where he helped the Division II program solidify itself as having one of the stoutest offenses in the country. As a player, Zimmerman was a standout at James Madison and 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. His professional career concluded in 2012 when he turned his attention toward coaching.