Mike Zimmer
Encyclopedia
Mike Zimmer is the Defensive Coordinator
for the National Football League
's Cincinnati Bengals
. He is the son of former NFL player Bill Zimmer and the father of Adam Zimmer, the Defensive Assistant/Linebackers for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs
.
. He enrolled at Illinois State University
with a major in physical education
and played as a quarterback (1974) before being redshirted (1975) and moved to linebacker after suffering a broken thumb (1976). A neck injury ended his football career that year.
(1979–80). He then went to Weber State College, where he was the inside linebackers coach (1981–84), defensive backs coach (1985–88), and defensive coordinator (1983–88). He then went to Washington State University
(1989–93) as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach. In 1993, the Cougars finished eighth in the nation in total defense and second in rushing defense.
He joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 as an assistant coach of the nickel defense under Barry Switzer
. He was promoted to defensive backs coach (1995–99) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000. The 2003 Dallas Cowboys gave up the fewest yards in the NFL while running an aggressive speedy 4-3 defense. Despite the Cowboys' problems over the years, Zimmer has survived coaching changes (Switzer, Chan Gailey
, Dave Campo
, Bill Parcells
) and rumored to have been a candidate for the head coaching job at the University of Nebraska
(2003). For the 2005 season, he implemented the 3-4 defense favored by head coach Parcells, although Zimmer had no prior experience with it.
When Bobby Petrino
was hired to coach the Atlanta Falcons
early in 2007 NFL Season, Mike Zimmer agreed to become the new defensive coordinator in Atlanta.
On January 15, 2008 Mike became the Defensive Coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals
.
His wife, Vikki, died at their home on October 8, 2009. Three days later Zimmer was awarded the game ball by head coach Marvin Lewis after the team's 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens
.
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. He is the son of former NFL player Bill Zimmer and the father of Adam Zimmer, the Defensive Assistant/Linebackers for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
Playing career
In high school, Zimmer was a successful multi-sport athlete who earned all-conference honors in football (1972–73), baseball, and wrestling at Lockport Township High SchoolLockport Township High School
Lockport Township High School is a public high school in Lockport, Illinois, United States. It also serves the communities of Homer Glen, Fairmont, parts of Crest Hill, and parts of Joliet. More than 3,800 students are enrolled in grades 9 through 12....
. He enrolled at Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
with a major in physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
and played as a quarterback (1974) before being redshirted (1975) and moved to linebacker after suffering a broken thumb (1976). A neck injury ended his football career that year.
Coaching career
His first coaching job was as a part-time defensive assistant at the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
(1979–80). He then went to Weber State College, where he was the inside linebackers coach (1981–84), defensive backs coach (1985–88), and defensive coordinator (1983–88). He then went to Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
(1989–93) as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach. In 1993, the Cougars finished eighth in the nation in total defense and second in rushing defense.
He joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 as an assistant coach of the nickel defense under Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...
. He was promoted to defensive backs coach (1995–99) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000. The 2003 Dallas Cowboys gave up the fewest yards in the NFL while running an aggressive speedy 4-3 defense. Despite the Cowboys' problems over the years, Zimmer has survived coaching changes (Switzer, Chan Gailey
Chan Gailey
Thomas Chandler "Chan" Gailey, Jr. is an American professional and college football coach. Gailey is the current head coach of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League ; he was formerly the head coach of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets college football...
, Dave Campo
Dave Campo
Dave Campo is an American football coach, a former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and currently secondary coach with the Cowboys.-High school years:...
, Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
) and rumored to have been a candidate for the head coaching job at the University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
(2003). For the 2005 season, he implemented the 3-4 defense favored by head coach Parcells, although Zimmer had no prior experience with it.
When Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
was hired to coach the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
early in 2007 NFL Season, Mike Zimmer agreed to become the new defensive coordinator in Atlanta.
On January 15, 2008 Mike became the Defensive Coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
.
His wife, Vikki, died at their home on October 8, 2009. Three days later Zimmer was awarded the game ball by head coach Marvin Lewis after the team's 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
.
External links
- on Bengals.com
- All-Access: Mike Zimmer - video by the NFL NetworkNFL NetworkNFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation...