Zach Tinker (American football)

Zach Tinker

Current position
Title	Special teams analyst
Team	Oregon
Conference	Big Ten
Biographical details
Born	c. 1977 (age 47–48) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Alma mater	Western Washington University (1998, 2008)
Playing career
1995–1998	Western Washington
Position(s)	Defensive end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1999–2002	Meridian HS (WA) (line)
2003–2004	Western Washington (TE)
2005–2006	Western Washington (OL)
2007	Southern Oregon (ST/WR)
2008–2011	Eastern Oregon (OC/QB)
2012–2015	South Dakota Mines (AHC/OC)
2016–2019	South Dakota Mines
2020–2021	Central Washington (OC/QB)
2022	Oregon (STQC)
2023	California (STQC)
2024–present	Oregon (ST analyst)
Head coaching record
Overall	18–26

Zachary Tinker (born c. 1977) is an American college football coach. He is a special teams analyst for the University of Oregon, a position he has held since 2024. He was the head football coach for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 2016 to 2019.

Playing career and education

Tinker played college football for Western Washington as a defensive end.^[1]

Tinker received his Bachelor's degree in political science in 1998 and his Master's degree in teaching in 2008, both from Western Washington University.^[1]

Coaching career

Tinker began his coaching career in 1999 following his graduation from Western Washington with Meridian High School.^[2] He coached with the school until 2002.^[1]

In 2003, Tinker was named the tight ends coach for his alma mater under head coach Rob Smith.^[3] In 2005, he was promoted to offensive line coach and was retained when Robin Ross was named head coach in 2006.

In 2007, Tinker was hired as the special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach for Southern Oregon under head coach Steve Helminiak.^[1]

In 2008, Tinker was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Eastern Oregon under first-year head coach Tim Camp.^[4]

In 2012, Tinker was hired as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for South Dakota Mines under first-year head coach Stacy Collins.^[4] In 2016, he was promoted to head football coach.^[5][6][7] In four seasons as head coach he led the team to an 18–26 record with his best seasons coming from 2016 to 2018 as he finished 5–6 each year. He resigned following the 2019 season.^[8][9][10]

In 2020, Tinker was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Central Washington under head coach Chris Fisk.^[11]

In 2022, Tinker took an off-the-field role as a special teams quality control coach for Oregon under head coach Dan Lanning.^[12][13]

In 2023, Tinker took the same position for California under head coach Justin Wilcox.^[14]

In 2024, Tinker rejoined Lanning and Oregon, this time as a special teams analyst.^{[15][16][17][18]}

Personal life

Tinker and his wife Marnie have two children together.

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) (2016–2019)
2016	South Dakota Mines	5–6	4–6	7th
2017	South Dakota Mines	5–6	4–6	T–7th
2018	South Dakota Mines	5–6	4–6	T–6th
2019	South Dakota Mines	3–8	2–8	T–9th
South Dakota Mines:		18–26	14–26
Total:		18–26

References

1. "Zach Tinker - Football Coach". South Dakota Mines. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
2. "Meridian assistant coaches". The Bellingham Herald. November 25, 2000. p. 14. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
3. Pacey, Doug (September 19, 2004). "Yoney has big game". The Bellingham Herald. p. 48. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
4. Kusek, Joe (January 15, 2016). "Tinker makes high-energy pitch for Rocky job". The Billings Gazette. pp. B1. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
5. Anderson, Richard (March 5, 2016). "Hardrocker football: Zach Tinker prepared himself to be a head coach". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
6. Kusek, Joe (January 14, 2016). "Tinker makes high-energy pitch for Rocky job". Billings Gazette. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
7. Wickersham, Justin (February 27, 2016). "Collins Resigns as SD Mines Football Coach". NewsCenter1.tv. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
8. "Tinker, SD Mines Part Ways". South Dakota Mines. November 20, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
9. Heemstra, Jody (November 21, 2019). "Tinker Steps Down As Head Football Coach at SD Mines". DRGNews. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
10. staff, Journal (November 20, 2019). "Tinker steps down as Mines head coach". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
11. "Zach Tinker - Football Coach". Central Washington University Athletics. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
12. Skopil, Erik (January 15, 2022). "REPORT: Lanning adding Central Washington OC Zach Tinker in off-field role". 247Sports. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
13. "Report: Oregon's Dan Lanning adding C. Wash OC Zach Tinker in off-field role". SuperWest Sports. January 15, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
14. "Zach Tinker - Quality Control, Special Teams - Football Support Staff". California Golden Bears Athletics. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
15. Dietz, Alec (February 2, 2024). "Oregon football's Dan Lanning announces staff updates, promotions for 2024: What to know". The Register-Guard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
16. "Zach Tinker - Football Coach". University of Oregon Athletics. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
17. Truax, Barkley (February 1, 2024). "Oregon announces coaching staff changes for 2024 season". On3. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
18. "Lanning Names Michalowski Inside Linebackers Coach, Announces Further Staff Updates". pac-12.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.

External links

• Oregon profile
• California profile
• Central Washington profile
• South Dakota Mines profile