Mike Zimmer
Super Bowl Champion Coach
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Mike Zimmer is a former NFL head coach with the Minnesota Vikings (2014-2021), taking the team to the playoffs three times, including the 2017 NFC Championship game.
He also served as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals prior to becoming a head coach. He won Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys as a defensive backs coach and was voted NFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2009 with Cincinnati.
Zimmer began coaching as a defensive assistant at the University of Missouri from 1979-1980. He then worked at Weber State and Washington State before joining the Cowboys as assistant coach of the nickel defense in 1994. Zimmer was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000 and later was defensive coordinator for the Falcons and Bengals.
With the Vikings, Zimmer had a .562 winning percentage as head coach. He led the Vikings to one of the greatest seasons in franchise history in 2017 when they finished 13-3. In the playoffs that season the Vikings beat the Saints in the divisional round thanks to the “Minneapolis Miracle,” a last-second touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs. Zimmer had a 2-3 playoff record with the Vikings.
A multi-sport athlete in high school, Zimmer earned all-conference honors in football, baseball and wrestling at Lockport Township High School in Illinois. He enrolled at Illinois State University, but injuries plagued his playing career.
One of Zimmer’s sons, Adam, was an assistant linebackers coach with the New Orleans Saints during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2009.
Zimmer currently owns a hunting lodge in Northern Kentucky.
Mike'S CONTRIBUTIONS
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New Cowboys, Dolphins Cornerback Duos Improve Their Entire Defenses
The Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins took big offseason swings at the cornerback position this…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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2023 NFL Free Agency: 7 Biggest Winners Through First Week
When you talk about free agency in the NFL, it's always exciting for the fans…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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2023 NFL Draft: Ownership Plays Key Role in Jalen Carter’s Future
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter (scouting report) pled no contest to charges of racing and…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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2023 NFL Draft: Adebawore's Speed Impressive, but Where Does He Fit?
Northwestern defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore (scouting report) generated plenty of attention at the 2023 NFL…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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2023 NFL Draft: Nolan Smith Should Move to Inside Linebacker
Georgia pass rusher Nolan Smith (scouting report) was one of the biggest winners of the 2023…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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2023 NFL Draft: Calijah Kancey is 'Poor Man's Aaron Donald'
Calijah Kancey (scouting report) showed out at the NFL Scouting Combine last week. Marvin Lewis…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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NFL Offseason Fixer-Uppers: Three Ways to Fix Panthers in 2023
In an ongoing offseason series, experts from The 33rd Team offer three things each team…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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Roughing the Passer Remains Challenge for Players to Avoid, Officials to Call
Former NFL head coaches Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer discuss roughing the passer penalties in…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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NFL Offseason Fixer-Uppers: Three Ways to Fix Texans in 2023
In an ongoing offseason series, experts from The 33rd Team offer three things each team…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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NFL Offseason Fixer-Uppers: How Bengals Can Get Back to Super Bowl
In an ongoing offseason series, experts from The 33rd Team offer three things each team…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer