| J. T. Zimmerman | |
| Current Title: | Defensive coordinator, defensive line coach |
| Current Team: | Aurora |
| Current Conference: | NACC |
| Birth Date: | 22 March 1989 |
| Alma Mater: | Benedictine University (2011) |
| Player Years1: | 2008–2011 |
| Player Team1: | Benedictine (IL) |
| Player Positions: | Linebacker |
| Coach Years1: | 2012 |
| Coach Team1: | Benedictine (IL) (DL) |
| Coach Years2: | 2013 |
| Coach Team2: | Benedictine (IL) (DB) |
| Coach Years3: | 2014 |
| Coach Team3: | Western New England (DB) |
| Coach Years4: | 2015–2018 |
| Coach Team4: | Rockford (DC) |
| Coach Years5: | 2019–2021 |
| Coach Team5: | Rockford |
| Coach Years6: | 2022–2023 |
| Coach Team6: | Aurora (co-DC/ST/DL) |
| Coach Years7: | 2024–present |
| Coach Team7: | Aurora (DC/DL) |
| Overall Record: | 4–20 |
J. T. Zimmerman (born March 22, 1989) is an American college football coach. He is defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for Aurora University, positions he has held since 2024. He was the head football coach for Rockford University from 2019 to 2021.
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. In 2013, he transitioned to the role of defensive backs coach. In 2014, he was hired for the same position for Western New England. 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.