Could former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer be nearing a return to the NFL after two years away?
According to a report from FanNation’s Cowboys Country, Zimmer is interested in the recently vacated Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator job.
Dan Quinn had been the Cowboys defensive coordinator the past three season before taking the Washington Commanders head coach job Thursday. Under Quinn, Dallas has had a top-10 defense each of the past two seasons.
Zimmer has been out of the NFL since being fired by the Vikings at the conclusion of the 2021 season. The 67-year-old spent eight years as the Vikings’ head coach racking up a 72-56-1 record. Minnesota twice won the NFC North under Zimmer and made the NFC Championship game during the 2017 season.
Talking with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero in December, Zimmer stated a desire to continue coaching saying: “I just think it’s something that’s in your blood. My dad was a high school coach for a long, long time. I love being around the players. I love the challenge of trying to make an organization better.”
Zimmer has previously coached in Dallas as a defensive coach from 1994 to 1999 before taking over as the team’s defensive coordinator from 2000 to 2006. Current Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy and Zimmer, have extensive history having coached against each other when McCarthy was the Packers head coach from 2006 to 2018.
