E-mail Coach Zimmerman

Jason Zimmerman, Head Coach

Jason Zimmerman was named the fourth head coach in the history of Emory men's basketball in April of 2007.

Zimmerman's initial campaign at Emory was a challenging but yet memorable one. With just one starter returning from the '06-07 season and a host of new faces to rely on, the Eagles ended 2007-08 with a deceptive won-lost record of 10-15. Playing the nation's second-toughest schedule according to the Massey Ratings, Zimmerman and his charges played a total of 11 games against six squads that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Without a doubt, the highlight of his first year of patrolling the Emory sideline took place on Jan. 25, 2008, when he saw his charges post a historic 81-76 overtime triumph over No. 1-ranked Rochester, the program's first-ever win over a top-ranked team.

Zimmerman's high-octane offense resulted in Emory leading the UAA and ranking 46th nationally in scoring offense with a 79.0 points per game average. In addition, the Eagles led the conference in scoring in for league contests with a 76.6 points per-game effort. As a further testament to Emory's potent and explosive offensive attack, the Eagles turned in three of the UAA's top five single-game point totals in '07-08; 106 vs. Oglethorpe (Dec. 15), 100 vs. Maryville (Dec. 8) and 99 vs. Case Western (Jan. 12).

Former Emory standout Spiros Ferderigos was a beneficiary of Zimmerman's tutelage, landing a second-team berth to the NABC All-South District Team, the first Eagle to be recognized by that organization since 1990. Ferderigos landed a first-team nod to the All-UAA Team while Anthony Fernandez brought home an honorable mention spot.

A native of Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmerman came to the Emory program having spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at the Division I level. 

Zimmerman spent seven seasons on the Davidson staff, where he worked for Bob McKillop, from 1996-97 through 2002-03.  During his tenure, the Wildcats compiled an impressive 122-81 record and competed in the 1998 and 2002 NCAA Tournaments.  Davidson won North Division championships in the Southern Conference in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2003, and won the Southern Conference Tournament in 1998 and 2002.

“Jason Zimmerman is the type of person that you want your son to play for,” said McKillop, the 2007-08 NABC National Coach of the Year. “He is a superb coach and caring individual.  He will maximize the talents of those who play for him.

“He has the ability to get on the court and show what has to be done and how to do it,” McKillop continued.  “Jason has the unique capacity to get players to blend and play roles.  He is adept at getting players to grasp the team concept nature of the game while highlighting their individual strengths.”

Zimmerman spent the 2003-04 through 2006-07 seasons as an assistant at the University of Evansville under Steve Merfeld.  While with the Purple Aces, he coached Matt Webster and Clint Cuffle to All-Missouri Valley Conference honors while recruiting and coaching Jason Holsinger to the MVC 2005-06 All-Freshman Team.

“Jason is the kind of person who fits in well with the people he comes in contact with,”said Merfeld, now a member of the Bradley University basketball staff.  He will have a positive impact on the student-athletes he will work with.

“He is extremely talented when it comes to skill development and he is an exceptional recruiter because of his ability to relate well to people.  He has a true passion for the game of basketball and for coaching.”

Zimmerman was a four-year letterwinner at Davidson where he concluded his career as the school’s No. 18 all-time leading scorer with 1,260 points.  One of the top players in the Southern Conference, he  finished fourth in career free throw percentage and seventh in career assists, and was a member of Davidson’s 1994 NIT team.  Jason also earned Davidson’s Thomas A. Sparrow Award for commitment to collegiate athletics.  He graduated from Davidson in 1994 and earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. 

“I want to thank Betsy Stephenson and all those involved in the search process for selecting me to lead the Emory men’s basketball program,” Zimmerman said upon his appointment.  “Emory University strives for excellence in all areas and we look forward to having the basketball program reach that level of excellence.

“The reputation of Emory, its fine facilities, and the high regard that the University Athletic Association is held in made the job appealing,” Zimmerman stated.  “Emory is about success and when you are around successful people, good things can happen.  My family and I are honored and excited about joining the Emory family.”

Jason and his wife, Traci, have a son, Trevor, and daughter, Taylor.