Mike Zimmer, while known for his colorful language on Hard Knocks when he was the Defensive Coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, has a coaching career that spans 20 seasons in the NFL.
Getting his break with the Cowboys in the early 90’s as a Defensive Back Coach, by the start of the 2000’s he had worked his way up in the Cowboys coaching system and was promoted to Defensive Coordinator. During the 2003 season with the Cowboys, the defense gave up the fewest yards in the NFL thanks to the schemes and strategies Zimmer implemented.
Following a one year stint with the Atlanta Falcons as their Defensive Coordinator in 2007, Zimmer was named the Defensive Coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. This, of course, is where people met the outspoken coach on Hard Knocks.
In 2009, Zimmer earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers and from CBSSports.com, after guiding the Bengals to the 4th ranked defense in the league. In 2011, the Bengals finished with the 7th ranked defense in total yards and 9th ranked defense in points allowed. In 2012, the Bengals finished with the 6th ranked defense in total yards and 8th ranked defense in points allowed. And in 2013, his last season with the Bengals finished with the 3rd ranked defense in total yards.
Now currently the 10th head coach in Vikings history, here’s to hoping that just like everywhere else he has gone, Zimmer improves the Vikings D and the team as a whole. Skol Vikings!
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