A member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, Zimmerman graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1990.
[2] He then went on to serve as an athletic director and coach at the high school level before joining Mike Anderson's staff at UAB and Missouri.
Upon completing his time in the military, Zimmerman entered the basketball coaching ranks in his home state of Arkansas.
From 1995 to 1998, Zimmerman served as the Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach for the now defunct Plainview-Rover High School.
In his four years there the team accumulated a 74-46 record and captured the Class 4A State Title in the 2001-2002 season.