July 16, 2025
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Jacobs makes Brian Zimmerman head coach after a season as interim

By Joe Stevenson
New Jacobs head football coach Brian Zimmerman watches his Golden Eagles warm up against Huntley during their season opening football game at Huntley High School on Friday, March 19, 2021 in Huntley.

Jacobs head football coach Brian Zimmerman watches his Golden Eagles warm up against Huntley during their season opening football game at Huntley High School on Friday, March 19, 2021 in Huntley.

Jacobs football coach Brian Zimmerman now has the “interim” part of his title removed.

Zimmerman stepped in shortly before the six-week spring season when former coach Bill Mitz resigned. Jacobs athletic director Joe Benoit announced Friday that Zimmerman has been hired to stay as the Golden Eagles head coach.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Zimmerman said. “I kind of went through the audition (this season), then interviewed again. I have a vision for what I want. These kids are great. The seniors we had, like Ryan Golnick, Max Stec and Aidan Roberts, were unbelievable leaders.”

The Eagles finished 2-2 this season and missed their last two games under COVID-19 quarantine. Jacobs lost to Huntley and Hampshire, then came back to beat Dundee-Crown and Burlington Central.

Zimmerman had been on Mitz’s staff for six years. He started his coaching career under Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar, who has one of the top programs in the state.

“I have the good fortune of being able to coach under those guys and be a part of their programs,” said Zimmerman, who played at Lincoln-Way before the school split. “One guy (Mitz) is a (Illinois High School Football Coaches Association) Hall of Famer, the other guy (Zvonar) is headed there.”

Zimmerman felt he was able to show he was ready for the job, even with the shortened season.

“Just being able to bring the team together in a short amount of time,” he said. “Being able to still produce wins and have the kids buy into what we were selling them. Even after a couple losses, we knew we were a better team than we showed.”

The Golden Eagles will return 15 starters for the fall season.

“My wife (Brynn) gave me that nudge of confidence, it was great to have that support system,” Zimmerman said. “The kids never wavered. We have kids working hard and it’s great to see them competing in other sports right now.”