Sports Community Support for Coach Chad Zimmer

Update on Chad Zimmer by his wife Kayla....

Update 12/30

As of this morning, Chad has shown encouraging progress. He is beginning to respond to small commands, though not as quickly as the doctors would ideally like—which they say is completely normal for someone waking up from heavy sedation. When asked who his wife is, he correctly said Kayla. He is also making more purposeful movements.

The doctors are encouraged by his progress, and we are continuing to take things one day at a time. Your prayers are working—he hears us, and we truly feel the love and support surrounding him. Thank you for continuing to lift him up.

On Christmas Eve, our sports family was shaken when Coach Chad Zimmer a experienced a unexpected medical issue. Chad is a dedicated coach, mentor, husband, and father—and the provider for his family. His wife Kayla stays home caring for their children, and right now their focus needs to be fully on Chad’s recovery.

As a sports community, we know how to come together when one of our own needs help. We are asking for support to help relieve some of the immediate financial stress—household bills, medical expenses, and the many unknowns that come with a long road to recovery.

Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with prayers, kind messages, and love. Please know they are felt deeply, and the family is incredibly grateful.

Current Update (12/26):

Chad is stable in the Neuro ICU at Crouse Hospital. At this time, he is not able to have visitors as the medical team is keeping things calm and quiet so he can rest and heal. We kindly ask that Chad’s dignity be honored and the family’s privacy respected during this time. If you were hoping to visit, please reach out first so arrangements can be discussed—this helps avoid added stress for both the family and hospital staff.

Chad is walking through a very unexpected medical situation. He is receiving excellent care, and doctors are closely monitoring his brain while allowing his body time to heal. There are still many unknowns, but we are thankful he made it through surgery and remains stable. The coming days are important, and the family is taking things moment by moment—leaning hard on faith and trusting the medical team.

Please continue to pray for healing, strength, and peace, especially for Chad’s children and family as they navigate this together.

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About Coach Chad Zimmer

With 15+ years of coaching experience, Chad has impacted countless athletes through his work in hitting, middle infield fundamentals, bat speed, fielding, and strength training. He is known for building confident, disciplined, well-rounded players—on and off the field.

This off-season, Chad was focused on private lessons and personalized training to help athletes grow not just as players, but as people. Now, it’s our turn to support him and his family.

Please keep Chad and the Zimmer family in your prayers.

More updates will be shared as they are able.

Update 12/27:

Quick update on Chad: He remains stable, and the medical team is beginning the process of trying to wake him up. Things will look much the same for now as they closely monitor him until the swelling in his brain starts to go down, which is the most important focus at this stage. I remain by his side and have read all of your messages to him — please know that your words, prayers, and love are being shared with him and truly mean more than we can express. We are taking this day by day and asking for continued prayers, especially for the swelling to decrease and for his brain to heal.

Update from Chads wife Kayla..

Update #2 12/26:

I wanted to share a brief update. He remains in the Neuro ICU and is receiving intensive, around-the-clock care. Right now, he is on a day-to-day watch as the medical team closely monitors his condition and continues treatment. The road ahead is still uncertain, and this could be a long journey over the coming months, so we are truly taking things one day at a time. He’s stable enough for me to come home. I’m home tonight briefly with the kids so we can spend some time together and have a small Christmas moment, and I’ll be returning to the hospital in the morning. It’s unknown what their dad’s condition will look like in the months ahead.

❣️Important❣️: At this time, I am no longer accepting visitors at the hospital. His health, rest, and healing are the most important priorities right now, and we need to keep his environment as calm and protected as possible.

For those who have asked about helping our family during this time, our community has set up a GoFundMe to support us as we navigate the days and months ahead. I’ll be sharing the link in the comments.

The GoFundMe has truly shown us just how incredible of a human and coach my husband is. The love, messages, and support pouring in have been overwhelming in the most humbling way. Right now, more than anything, we need all the prayers you have — for healing, strength, peace, and guidance for the days ahead. We are beyond grateful for every single person standing with our family during this time.