Mike Zimmer
Defensive-minded head coach of the Vikings from 2014 to 2021, including the 2017 run to the NFC Championship Game.
Mike Zimmer (born June 5, 1956) is an American football coach who was head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021. Known for building top-ranked defenses, he earlier coached with the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals, and he returned to Dallas as defensive coordinator in 2024.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 5 June 1956
- Birthplace
- Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
- High school
- Lockport Township (Lockport, Illinois)
- College
- Illinois State
- Highlights
- Super Bowl champion (XXX)
- NFL Assistant Coach of the Year (2009)
- George Halas Award (2010)
Facts from the source article.
Background
Zimmer started in the NFL as a defensive assistant with the Cowboys in 1994 and was part of the staff that won Super Bowl XXX. He was defensive coordinator of the Falcons in 2007 and of the Bengals from 2008 to 2013 before taking the Vikings job. In his second season, 2015, Minnesota won the NFC North; in 2017 the team reached the divisional round and won it on the Minneapolis Miracle before losing the NFC Championship Game 38-7 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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