Rockford University has promoted defensive coordinator J.T. Zimmerman to head football coach effective immediately. He takes over for Jim Schroeder, who has accepted the head football coaching position at Benedictine University.
“I could not be more excited to announce the promotion of our defensive coordinator, J.T. Zimmerman, to the position of head football coach,” Director of Athletics Jason Mulligan said. “J.T. has proven to be an outstanding coach and recruiter over the past four years. His preparation and organization have been the backbone of the program, and it is clear that our team is thrilled about him getting this opportunity. The talent and size of our roster has improved each year and a lot of that is due to J.T’s hard work. We look forward to seeing our football program take the next step.
“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to become the head football coach at Rockford University,” Coach Zimmerman said. “I strongly believe that with the foundation we have built here over the last four years, and the recruiting class that we are currently working with, there is no reason not to have high expectations for the upcoming season and beyond.”
Over the past four years, Zimmerman’s defenses have consistently been in the top three in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in multiple categories each season. Rockford led the NACC in total defense, pass defense and fumble recoveries, and finished second in points per game and rushing defense in 2015. This past season, the Regents ranked second in total defense, rushing defense and defensive touchdowns and third in points per game. Rockford also had one of its best overall years in a decade last season. The Regents had more overall and conference wins this past season than in any single year since 2007. Rockford also defeated both Lakeland University and Concordia University Wisconsin for the first time in program history.
The Regents have also seen a lot of individual success on the defensive side of the ball since Zimmerman’s arrival. Dating back to the 2015 season, the RU defense has had 11 all-conference performers, five NACC Defensive Players of the Week, one all-region selection and one All-American. The Regents have also had 32 football players named NACC Scholar-Athletes over the past three years.
Before joining the Regents coaching staff in 2015, Zimmerman spent a season as the defensive backs coach at Western New England University. During his tenure there, Zimmerman led one of the top secondaries in the country. His unit finished the 2014 season ranked eighth in Division III pass efficiency defense, ninth in interceptions and nineteenth in passing yards allowed. Zimmerman also tutored the conference’s leader in interceptions.
Prior to coaching at Western New England, Zimmerman spent a total of six seasons at Benedictine University, both as a player and an assistant coach. Zimmermann was a four-year linebacker for the Eagles, before joining the coaching ranks. After the conclusion of his playing career, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach. In 2012 he served as the defensive line coach before moving to coach the defensive backs for the 2013 season.
Coach Schroeder left Rockford after spending four seasons as the school’s head football coach. During his time at Rockford, the Regents had 32 NACC Scholar-Athletes, 25 All-NACC performers, 11 NACC Players of the Week, one all-region selection and one All-American. Rockford also tied its highest ever finish in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2017, with a fifth place finish.