His name has been in the rumor mill before, but the latest news in the Vikings’ search for a new head coach takes us to Cincinnati.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings will interview Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on Wednesday.
Bengals DC Mike Zimmer is scheduled to interview for the Vikings HC today, and then the Titans HC on Thursday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2014
Vikings radio play-by-play guy Paul Allen is doing a “Vikings Head Coach Watch” at KFAN.com, and he gave his view of Zimmer on Tuesday.
I like Zimmer and wouldn’t mind if he were the HC. I have heard former Vikes OC Scott Linehan has a Zimmer tie and might be the OC were he hired. I’d be fine with that, too.
Pro Football Talk says Zimmer will be the third defensive coordinator the Vikings will have interviewed. They previously interviewed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the interview with Bowles went “incredibly well.”
Heard the #Vikings interview with #Cardinals DC Todd Bowles went incredibly well yesterday. Wouldn't be surprised if he makes final 3.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2014
Old school Vikings fans who adored the foul language Jerry Burns used to use when he was coaching the Vikings might be able to draw a comparison to Zimmer, who likes to use some choice words, too. We’ll simply link to the video of Zimmer on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” but be warned… he uses very strong language.
Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman wants to hire a new coach before college football’s Senior Bowl, which will be played in Mobile, Alabama on Jan. 25.
