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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The Blitz Package That Terrorizes Modern NFL Offenses
If you watched the Cowboys beat the Colts last Sunday, you saw Colts’ quarterback Matt…
By Mike Zimmer Super Bowl Champion Coach
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Jets Defense Looking for Encore in Week 14 Rematch With Josh Allen’s Bills
The New York Jets handed the Buffalo Bills a surprising loss in Week 9 by…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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San Francisco 49ers' Season Far From Lost
Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer like what they saw from Jimmy Garoppolo's replacement Brock Purdy…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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49ers' Defense Facing Challenge, Slugfest vs. Dolphins' Offense
Not many games on the Week 13 schedule offer more than in San Francisco, where…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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Micah Parsons' Pass Rush Instincts Are What Sets Him Apart
Defensive gurus Mike Zimmer and Marvin Lewis discuss Dallas Cowboys' star Micah Parsons and what…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis
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How Do You Coach a Team With a Strong Defense and Weak Offense?
The Denver Broncos defense has been stout, but the offense is riding the struggle bus.…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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Tariq Woolen is the Next 'Big' Seahawks Cornerback
Richard Sherman is long gone from Seattle, but there is a new big CB in…
By Mike Zimmer Super Bowl Champion Coach
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Patrick Surtain II's Game Reminiscent of Deion Sanders
Defensive gurus Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer break down Patrick Surtain’s game ahead of his…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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All Coaches Aspire to be Like Mike Tomlin
Mike Zimmer and Marvin Lewis talk about Mike Tomlin's leadership in the aftermath of a…
By Marvin Lewis & Mike Zimmer
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Containing Bills QB Josh Allen Key For Chiefs in Week 6 Matchup
Former NFL head coaches Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer compare notes on the defenses for…
By Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis