The Washington Commanders made the decision to terminate the employment of head coach Ron Rivera during the offseason. They conducted interviews with several potential candidates for the position, ultimately selecting Dan Quinn as their new head coach. Quinn had previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys over the course of the past three seasons. This appointment left a vacancy at the defensive coordinator position for the Cowboys, which needed to be filled.
Yesterday, the Dallas Cowboys announced the hiring of Mike Zimmer, the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, as their new defensive coordinator. Zimmer had taken a two-year break from the NFL but has now found a new position within the league. This is not the first time that the 67-year-old has been a part of the Cowboys organization. From 2000 to 2006, Zimmer served as the defensive coordinator under two different head coaches for Dallas. He has returned to the team and will strive to maximize the potential of the Cowboys’ roster.
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to officially bring Mike Zimmer on board as their defensive coordinator, according to reliable sources. Zimmer, aged 67, is the third-most successful head coach in the history of the Minnesota Vikings and has long been admired for his defensive expertise. His return to Dallas is significant, as he previously coached the team from 1994 to 2006.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, Mike Zimmer held the position of head coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021. In his final season, he achieved an 8-9 record, concluding his eight-year tenure with a total of 74 wins, 59 losses, and 1 tie. During his time with the Vikings, Zimmer led the team to three playoff appearances and a single NFC Championship game. Now, he has the opportunity to rejoin the franchise that kickstarted his NFL career. In 1994, at the age of 34, Zimmer began his journey in the league as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Throughout the years, Zimmer steadily climbed the ranks within the Cowboys organization, eventually earning a promotion to the role of defensive coordinator in 2000. He remained in that position for seven seasons. Now, at the age of 67, he returns to assume the same job he held over 15 years ago. Known for his tough and uncompromising defensive approach, Zimmer will have the advantage of working with talented players across all three levels of the defense, including Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, and Trevon Diggs.
Following a two-year break, Mike Zimmer has been eagerly preparing for his new role as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, as he recently shared during an interview on The Insiders. The upcoming 2023 season holds great significance for the Cowboys, as they have achieved a 12-5 record in the past three seasons but have failed to progress beyond the divisional round of the playoffs. Speculation arose regarding the potential dismissal of head coach Mike McCarthy by owner Jerry Jones during the offseason. However, Jones has decided to retain McCarthy for the 2024 season. Nevertheless, McCarthy’s future with the team hinges on their ability to make a deep playoff run this year. McCarthy will oversee the offense while Mike Zimmer takes charge of the defense.
According to the Source sportslens.com