Arkansas basketball radio analyst Matt Zimmerman has been named the Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
The 1990 Arkansas graduate and former coach has been calling Razorback basketball games alongside play-by-play legend Chuck Barrett since 2015, and began co-hosting The Razorback Daily podcast with Quinn Grovey in 2021.
“Congratulations to our own Matt Zimmerman on being recognized as the Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year,” Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. “Coach Z brings a unique broadcasting style to our fans that blends his knowledge for the game with his historical perspective of Arkansas Athletics. Most of all, it is his passion for our state and our program that shines through as he helps link Arkansans to their beloved Razorbacks.”
Zimmerman’ high energy and insightful analysis, alongside Barrett, has proven to be an entertaining tandem for listeners.
He served as a team manager under Nolan Richardson in the late 1980s. After beginning his coaching career with stints at Dardanelle and Plainview-Rover high schools, Zimmerman spent spent 16 seasons as a college basketball coach under Mike Anderson, with stops at UAB and Missouri, before returning to Arkansas in 2011.
He began his broadcasting career while still serving on the Razorbacks’ coaching staff in 2015. Zimmerman swapped roles with Scotty Thurman, becoming the Hogs’ Director of Basketball Operations for the final three years of Anderson’s tenure, which included being the radio analyst.
His role with the Razorback Sports Network expanded in 2020 when he joined the Arkansas football broadcasts, becoming a part of the pregame show. Zimmerman also serves as an analyst on SEC Network+ broadcasts of Razorback women’s basketball.
Zimmerman joins a long line of Razorback announcers who have received the honor, which includes his broadcast partner and three-time winner, Barrett. The list also includes three-time winner Phil Elson, the play-by-play voice for Razorback baseball and women’s basketball. The late, great Paul Eells won the award 13 times during his legendary career at KATV and as the football Voice of the Razorbacks, crossing four decades. Bud Campbell is an eight-time winner, while Bob Cheyne won six of the awards.