Simpson promotes Zimmerman to interim assistant

Sarah Zimmerman is trading her singlet for a seat in the corner a little earlier than expected.

The Simpson College senior has been promoted to interim assistant coach for the Storm women’s wrestling program, filling the spot left open when associate head coach Emma Mulder was named the first head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Zimmerman has been one of the most accomplished wrestlers in program history since arriving in Indianola, Iowa, from Hays, Kansas, where she won a state title in 2023. She captured the American Rivers Conference title at 110 pounds in 2025 and was a multi-year starter for the Storm before moving into a student-coaching role this season. She will graduate from Simpson in December.

Simpson head coach Jeff McGinness said Zimmerman already knows what the program expects because she helped set those expectations.

“Sarah represents so much of what we value in our program,” said McGinness. “She is a fierce competitor, an outstanding technician and, most importantly, an even better person. She understands our culture because she has helped build it. She knows our expectations, she knows our athletes and she knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.”

McGinness was quick to point out that Zimmerman isn’t being asked to replace Mulder.

“Nobody can be expected to simply step in and fill Coach Emma’s shoes, and that is certainly not what we are asking Sarah to do,” said McGinness. “What we see in Sarah is tremendous potential to develop into an exceptional coach in her own right. Just as we have watched Emma grow and develop, we are excited to invest in Sarah and help her begin this next chapter.”

Mulder, who was known as Emma Cochran during most of her time at Simpson, joined McGinness’ staff as an assistant in June 2023 and was promoted to associate head coach in February 2025. Simpson finished runner-up at the 2026 Division III National Duals and placed 17th at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships last March. She begins her new job at UW-Platteville on Oct. 26.

McGinness said developing coaches is just as important to him as developing wrestlers.

“One of the things I am most proud of is that while Emma has had a tremendous impact on our program, I believe our program has had an equally meaningful impact on her development as a coach,” said McGinness. “As coaches, we talk constantly about helping our athletes reach their potential, but that same philosophy applies to our staff. Emma has absolutely earned this opportunity, and Wisconsin-Platteville is getting an outstanding coach and an even better person.”