Southwestern Oklahoma State Athletics

Jeff Zinn became the fifth head coach in SWOSU history after being named leader of the program on May 25, 2022. He'll begin year four at the helm in 2025-26.

At SWOSU, Zinn has compiled a 39-48 record, steadily building the program from a challenging inaugural season to back-to-back GAC postseason appearances. Last season, the Bulldogs ranked eighth in NCAA Division II in turnovers per game (12.4) and 12th in turnover margin, averaging a +6.38 advantage. His 2024 squad advanced to the GAC Tournament championship game after earning consecutive wins over nationally ranked conference opponents.

Zinn has seen win improvements in each of his first three seasons at SWOSU while coaching four All-GAC selections.
 
Coach Zinn brought 28 years of successful Oklahoma high school head coaching experience to SWOSU with a 563-247 overall record. For his success, he was eventually inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association (OGBCA) Hall of Fame in 2023. 

He spent his final season prior to SWOSU at NCAA Division I Oral Roberts University as an assistant women’s coach in his first year after leaving the high school ranks.
 
Zinn spent 10 years at Anadarko High School from 2011-2021 and finished his last three seasons with a record of 76-7. He led Anadarko to two state championships in 2019 and 2012 and made trips to the state tournament in nine of his 10 seasons at the helm of the Lady Warrior program. COVID ended the 2020 season for Zinn who saw his team compile a 29-1 record, while holding the No. 1 ranking in 4A.
 
During his time at Anadarko, he earned many accolades for himself including NFHSA State Coach of the Year (2021), NFHSA National Sectional Coach of the Year (2020), Daily Oklahoma Coach of the Year (2019), and OGBCA State Coach of the Year (2012, 2019).
 
Prior to coaching at Anadarko, Zinn coached at Newkirk High School. While at Newkirk, the Tigers finished as the state runner-up in 2009 and a state quarterfinalist in 2010.
 
Zinn began his head coaching career at Blanchard High School where he was named Canadian Valley Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2001. 
 
A native of Buffalo, Oklahoma, Zinn completed his bachelor’s degree in education at Northwestern in 1990 and earned a master’s degree in administration from East Central in 1998. He has four children, Averi, Libbi, Layni, and Taylor, and a granddaughter, Amay. 

 
THE ZINN FILE:

Coaching Career
2022-present: SWOSU (Head Coach)
2021-22: Oral Roberts (Assistant Coach)
2011-21: Anadarko HS (Head Coach)
2007-11: Newkirk HS (Head Coach)
1994-07: Blanchard HS (Head Coach)
1990-93: Guymon HS (Assistant Coach)
 
Playing Career
1988: Northwestern Oklahoma State
1986: Panhandle State
1985: Northern Oklahoma College

Education
East Central University
      M.A. Education in Public School Administration, 1998
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
      B.A. Business Administration, 1990