For the second time in roughly a year, Mississippi State is looking for a new women’s soccer coach.
Nick Zimmerman, who was promoted from assistant to head coach before the 2025 season and led the Bulldogs to yet another NCAA Tournament appearance, announced Friday he’s leaving to accept the head coaching job at Florida.
“One of the toughest things to do is leave your family and move on to the next opportunity. Today, I am leaving my family here at Mississippi State to move back to my roots to be the head coach at the University of Florida in the state where I grew up and played,” Zimmerman wrote on social media.
The Tampa, Fla., native was part of the coaching staff for several Bulldog teams that made NCAA Tournaments, including the 2023 and 2024 squads that advanced all the way to the Sweet 16.
In Zimmerman’s lone season atop the program, following last offseason’s departure of James Armstrong for Auburn, Mississippi State returned to postseason play but was beaten at home by Lipscomb in the opening round. Regular-season wins of note included three top-10 victories over Wake Forest, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
“Here in Starkville, I have been blessed with great staff and administrative support, a faithful student body, and fantastic players who have demonstrated their courage and passion in their hard work on and off the field,” Zimmerman continued. “I am grateful for all of the support I have received over the last seven years, and I will never forget all of the things that we accomplished together. You have impacted my life, and I am grateful for this time I have with you in Mississippi.”
— Nick Zimmerman (@UFNZimmerman) December 5, 2025
Zimmerman takes over for Samantha Bohon, who was fired by Florida after four seasons. In 2025, the Gators went 6-7-5 before falling in the opening round of the SEC Tournament.