Mike Zimmer was out of the NFL for the past two years after his tenure as head coach of the Vikings came to an end. He is now in place as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, a return to the role he held from 2000-06. 
Head coach Mike McCarthy is believed to have preferred promoting Joe Whitt to take over from Dan Quinn, but Zimmer will assume those duties after agreeing to once again work under owner Jerry Jones. Zimmer’s time in Minnesota did not end on a high note, though he received interest from other suitors this offseason before taking the Dallas gig. Comments he recently made when reflecting on his head coaching tenure illustrate the circumstances surrounding his departure.
In an interview with Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Zimmer admitted to his coaching approach and personality clashing with players and staff members at times. After he was fired, a number of public criticisms were levied against the 68-year-old, who noted that he “holds a grudge.” That is not the case for linebacker Eric Kendricks, who lamented the culture Zimmer established in Minnesota but chose to sign with the Cowboys in free agency because doing so allowed him to reunite with his former head coach. Kendricks will play a key role in Dallas’ efforts to improve against the run under Zimmer.
The latter added that his relationship with Vikings ownership and ex-general manager Rick Spielman deteriorated during the end of his time in Minnesota. The 2021 draft in particular – during which Spielman attempted to move up in the first round to select Justin Fields and ultimately selected fellow quarterback Kellen Mond in the third – did not sit well with Zimmer, who wanted more emphasis to be placed on defensive additions. The longtime staffer said he and Spielman have not spoken since the 2021 campaign, their last working together.
Minnesota posted a record of 8-8 or better each year from 2015-19. That span included five total postseason contests across three years, but the Vikings were unable to proceed past the divisional round during Zimmer’s tenure. After going a combined 15-18 during their last two years in place, Zimmer and Spielman were fired once the 2021 season ended. A head coaching gig could await Zimmer depending on how he performs in Dallas, but he does not appear to be eyeing a return to that role.
“Guys with worse records than me have gotten second chances, but I don’t see it happening because of my age,” Zimmer – who sports a .562 winning percentage – said. “And now teams also want whoever can coach the quarterback. It is what it is.”
McCarthy’s inability to translate 12-win seasons into playoff success over the past three years has left him on the hot seat entering 2024. The coming campaign represents the final one of his contract, and last year’s underwhelming wild-card loss is the main reason Jones has not authorized a new deal for the former Super Bowl winner. McCarthy’s focus will remain on the Cowboys’ offense in 2024, but expectations will be high for Zimmer to help the team remain strong against the pass while overseeing improvement in the front seven. The future of bother staffers beyond this year is uncertain, but improving his stock may not lead to Zimmer pursuing a second head coaching gig.
