Could former UMBC men's lacrosse coach Don Zimmerman return to coaching elsewhere?

Don Zimmerman may have retired as UMBC coach, but that doesn't mean he is out of lacrosse altogether.

Just look at others who are no longer in the Division I coaching ranks. Tony Seaman, who helmed Towson, Johns Hopkins and Penn, is coaching Saint Andrew's School in Florida. Stan Ross, who headed Butler, leads the Oxbridge Academy, also in Florida. And Dave Urick, who guided Georgetown, is an assistant coach at Division III Gettysburg.

Zimmerman, who will not turn 64 until January, will continue to work with the Retrievers as an administrator in charge of special projects and alumni relations. While acknowledging that position, Zimmerman did not rule out the idea of returning to lacrosse.

"Right now, my commitment is to stay at UMBC and help in any capacity they see as appropriate," he said Monday. "I still love to get out there and coach and practice. If another opportunity were to present itself, I'd certainly have to look at that. But at this time, I feel like the situation is good for me and my family. But I always leave things open."

Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala, a three-time All-American defenseman under Zimmerman when they were both Blue Jays from 1987-90, said his mentor has a wealth of knowledge to share with others.

"Coach Zimmerman is a teacher of the game," Pietramala said. "I think that is one of his greatest strengths. So I don't know what's in his heart, but would it surprise me if he decided to get back into coaching, to get back as an assistant or a head guy somewhere else? No, because he's a teacher. It's hard to get rid of that passion when it's in your blood, and teaching is in his blood. He was a great teacher when I played for him and has been for many years."

Albany coach Scott Marr, an attackman for Zimmerman also from 1987-90, agreed with his former teammate.

"He's one of the best lacrosse minds out there," Marr said. "He's an unbelievable motivator and probably one of the most prepared coaches for practice every day and for games. I haven't seen anybody as good as he is at getting kids prepared and motivated to play."

Whether other players will get to experience those lessons from Zimmerman is a question only he can answer.