After eight years at the helm of the Principia Men’s Basketball program, Todd Zimmerman has decided to step down as head coach.
However, director of athletics, Ann Pierson, is pleased to note that Zimmerman will not be leaving the program. He will stay on as the associate head coach next season, while Neyko Dominguez steps into the lead role. Dominguez was the men’s assistant coach last season (as well as assisting the women’s program the last three seasons), and he has been promoted to interim head coach for the 2024-25 season.
Pierson says, “I am excited to be able to configure coaching roles in such a way that the team will enjoy stability, and its coaches will have the opportunity to develop and grow. Todd did such a nice job with our men’s program during his tenure, and I am glad he will have the opportunity to serve as a mentor and share his experience.”
Zimmerman first came to Principia as student-athlete in 2007 and put together a decorated basketball career, including a First Team All-Conference nod his senior year. He still ranks third all-time in points (1556) and first all-time in assists (431) during the program’s NCAA era. After graduating in 2011, Zimmerman began his coaching career as an assistant for the women’s basketball team from 2011-14 before moving over to assist the men’s basketball team in 2015-16.
Zimmerman took over as the men’s Head Coach in 2016 and took the program to new heights during his tenure. He was named SLIAC Coach of the Year in 2016-17 and is responsible for three double-digit win seasons and four SLIAC Tournament berths. In 2022-23, he led the Panthers to their most wins in program history (18), culminating in their first ever home SLIAC Tournament victory. In total, Zimmerman has coached one Division III All Star, two SLIAC Players of the Year, one SLIAC Newcomer of the Year, two SLIAC Sixth Men of the Year, two players who were named All-Region, six players who were named All-Conference, various Principia, SLIAC, and DIII record holders, and two athletes that went on to play at the professional level.
Reflecting back on the last eight years, Zimmerman says, “Being the head coach of the Principia Men’s Basketball team has meant the world to me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to coach these incredible young men at such an amazing institution. I will fondly remember each and every player that I coached during my tenure, and I can honestly say that there is no place I would have rather been than coaching here at Principia College.”
Moving forward, Zimmerman is excited to help transition the program into new hands and work alongside Dominguez as he begins his head coaching career. He says, “Neyko is hungry and driven to be successful, and I have no doubt that he will do a great job, as he helps take Principia to even greater heights. Neyko was a wonderful assistant coach for me last season, and I look forward to returning the favor.”
Dominguez is eager to embrace this new role. He says, “Thank you to Ann Pierson and the leadership at Principia College for allowing me to coach a sport that I have been so passionate about my entire life. I’d also like to express my gratitude for the mentorship and guidance I received from Coach Todd during my tenure as assistant coach. I’m very excited to continue the path of success that the men’s basketball program has been accustomed to, and I am so grateful to be a part of the Principia community.”
