Jason Zitzke was named the head men’s soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in June 2011 and will enter his 16th season at the helm in 2026. Overall, Zitzke is in his 27th season as a member of the Parkside coaching staff, having served as an assistant coach (1999–2002) and associate head coach (2003–10). A 2010 Parkside Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Zitzke has played a central role in the sustained success of the Rangers men’s soccer program for more than two decades.
Under Zitzke’s leadership, Parkside has emerged as one of the premier programs in the GLIAC. He has guided the Rangers to multiple GLIAC regular-season and tournament championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and individual national honors. Parkside reached the NCAA Tournament five times during Zitzke’s tenure as both a player and coach, including appearances in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as head coach.
The 2022 season marked a historic breakthrough, as Zitzke led Parkside to its first NCAA Tournament win in program history. After earning an at-large bid, the Rangers defeated Indianapolis in the opening round before advancing to the Sweet 16 with a dramatic win over host Ashland. The season also marked Zitzke’s 100th career victory as head coach, as Parkside finished 12-4-4 overall and unbeaten at home.
Zitzke followed with another championship season in 2023, leading the Rangers to the GLIAC Regular Season Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Parkside finished 9-5-3 overall and 7-2-1 in conference play. Zitzke earned his third GLIAC Coach of the Year honor, while coaching GLIAC Defender of the Year Mike Howell, All-American Alejandro Martinez, and multiple All-Region selections.
From 2024–25, Zitzke continued to develop elite individual talent, coaching numerous All-GLIAC performers and four All-Region honorees. Goalkeeper Daniyal Rana was named GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2024, 2025).
Previously, Zitzke guided Parkside to a breakthrough 2019 campaign, sweeping the GLIAC regular season and tournament titles to secure the program’s first GLIAC Championship and first NCAA Tournament berth since 2006. That season concluded with Zitzke earning GLIAC Coach of the Year honors. He was also named GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2021 after leading the Rangers to another conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
Before becoming head coach, Zitzke coordinated one of the nation’s most productive offenses as an assistant, with Parkside ranking among the GLVC’s top three scoring teams eight times. The 2006 Rangers ranked eighth nationally, averaging 2.85 goals per match.
A standout player at UW-Parkside from 1995–98, Zitzke posted a 57-22-3 career record and totaled 83 points on 28 goals and 27 assists. He was a three-time All-Region selection and a Second Team All-American. A native of Wauwatosa, Wis., Zitzke is the only player in program history to be drafted into two professional leagues and played two seasons with the Milwaukee Wave, earning a championship ring during the 1999–2000 season.
Zitzke resides in Bay View, Wisconsin, with his wife, Dr. Michelle Zitzke, and their two daughters, Thia and Stella.
