J. T. Zimmerman

J. T. Zimmerman (born March 22, 1989) is an American college football coach. He is defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Aurora University, positions he has held since 2024. He was the head football coach for Rockford University from 2019 to 2021.

J. T. Zimmerman

Current position
Title	Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach
Team	Aurora
Conference	NACC
Biographical details
Born	(1989-03-22) March 22, 1989 (age 36)
Alma mater	Benedictine University (2011)
Playing career
2008–2011	Benedictine (IL)
Position(s)	Linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2012	Benedictine (IL) (DL)
2013	Benedictine (IL) (DB)
2014	Western New England (DB)
2015–2018	Rockford (DC)
2019–2021	Rockford
2022–2023	Aurora (co-DC/ST/DL)
2024–present	Aurora (DC/LB)
Head coaching record
Overall	4–20

Career

Zimmerman played college football for Benedictine University as a linebacker.^[1]

In 2012, Zimmerman began his coaching career at his alma mater, Benedictine, as the defensive line coach.^[1] In 2013, he transitioned to the role of defensive backs coach.^[1] In 2014, he was hired for the same position for Western New England.^[1] After one year he was hired as the defensive coordinator for Rockford.^[2] In 2019, Zimmerman was named head football coach for Rockford following Jim Schroeder leaving for Benedictine.^[3][4][5] He was the youngest head coach at the NCAA Division III level at 29 years old.^[6] In three seasons he led the team to an overall record of 4–20 with his best season coming in 2021 as they finished 2–8. He resigned following the 2021 season.^[7][8] In 2022, he was hired as the co-defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and defensive line coach for Aurora.^[1]

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Rockford Regents (Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference) (2019–2021)
2019	Rockford	1–9	0–7	8th
2020–21	Rockford	1–3	1–2	T–4th
2021	Rockford	2–8	1–7	T–8th
Rockford:		4–20	2–16
Total:		4–20