Karl Zimmerman was named the head men's lacrosse coach on Jan. 10, 2014.

During Zimmerman’s tenure, the men’s lacrosse program has continued to improve which has led to a 45-32 record the past five seasons, including equaling the school record for victories in a single season with 10 wins in 2018 (10-6 overall).  Zimmerman’s teams have steadily worked their way to becoming one of the better teams in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and contending for a spot in the MIAA Tournament each year. Trine recorded a school record with (5-2) in conference play during the 2016 & 2018 seasons. The 2016 & 2018 seasons were school records for most wins in conference play with (5-2 MIAA).

Zimmerman has helped develop the Trine program into a well-balanced attack both offensively and defensively.  Defensively, the team has led the MIAA in scoring defense and ranked 9th (2016), 17th (2017) and 6th (2018) in the NCAA.  On offense, the Thunder have set several school marks in recent years that include points (323 – 2018), goals (200 – 2018), assists (123 – 2018) and man-up goals (29 – 2018). In 2019, the team set single-season records in shots per game (43.00), shots on goal per game (24.75) and tied the single-season mark for “man-down” goals (three). 

Since taking over the program, 26 players have earned All-MIAA honors under Zimmerman, including 12 first-team award winners, one “Rookie of the Year” and one USILA Academic All-American.

“The primary goal for the Trine Men’s Lacrosse program is to develop student-athletes of character and integrity who will pursue excellence in the classroom and on the lacrosse field as preparation for becoming positive members of the school and society,” stated Zimmerman.

Zimmerman took over the helm of the Thunder program after spending two seasons at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he most recently served as the team’s offensive coordinator. In Zimmerman’s two years at UDM, the Titans set program records in points, points per game, goals, assists, assists per game and faceoff-win percentage.

Zimmerman coached two players who earned second-team All-MAAC honors and another two players who earned MAAC All-Rookie honors. In addition to second-team All-MAAC honors, midfielder Mike Birney also earned Most Outstanding Player at the MAAC Championship under Zimmerman’s guidance. Zimmerman helped lead the Titans to a 2013 MAAC title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where Detroit Mercy faced Notre Dame.

While at Detroit Mercy, Zimmerman was also in charge of the academic performance of the squad. Detroit led the MAAC with 18 All-Academic Team selections and posted a GPA above 3.10.  His teams have also had success in the classroom at Trine with 28 MIAA Academic Honor Roll recognitions.

A four-year letter winner in lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan University, Zimmerman earned first-team All North Coast Athletic Conference recognition as a freshman in 2006 and honorable mention All-NCAC in 2009. He helped the Bishops to four-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Zimmerman was a key part of three state championship teams at Birmingham Brother Rice High School (Mich.). He earned All-American, All-Midwest and All-State honors as a senior in 2005.

Zimmerman earned a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Oakland University in Dec. 2016.