Frisco, Texas — After nearly two decades since his last tenure as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer is poised to return to that position, as confirmed by a source on Thursday night.
Zimmer will take over for Dan Quinn, who departed to assume the role of head coach for the Washington Commanders following a three-year stint as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
At 67 years old, Zimmer previously served as a Cowboys assistant coach from 1994 to 2006, transitioning from defensive assistant to defensive backs coach in 1995, coinciding with the team’s last Super Bowl win, and eventually becoming the coordinator from 2000 to 2006 under head coaches Dave Campo (2000-2002) and Bill Parcells (2003-2006).
The NFL Network initially reported the impending agreement between the Cowboys and Zimmer.
From 2014 to 2021, Zimmer held the position of head coach for the Minnesota Vikings, amassing a 74-59-1 record and securing three playoff berths. During his tenure in the NFC North, he became acquainted with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who was then leading the Green Bay Packers.
Zimmer will take charge of a defense featuring two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year, edge rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland, who topped the league in interceptions with nine, five of which were returned for touchdowns. Cornerback Trevon Diggs, who signed a substantial five-year, $97 million contract last summer, is returning from a torn ACL in his left knee.
While there are concerns regarding the interior defensive line and linebacker positions, the Cowboys boasted impressive defensive rankings in 2023, placing fifth in both yards per game (299.7) and points per game (18.5). However, vulnerabilities were exposed in losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills during the regular season, and particularly in the wild-card loss to the Packers, where they conceded 48 points.
Zimmer brings with him a strong NFL pedigree, having previously served as coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals before his tenure in Minnesota. Although he primarily worked with a 4-3 defense, he oversaw the Cowboys’ transition to a 3-4 scheme under Parcells in 2005, coinciding with the drafting of notable defensive talents such as DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Kevin Burnett, Chris Canty, and Jay Ratliff.
Notably, Zimmer will be the third defensive coordinator under McCarthy’s leadership in five seasons. Mike Nolan occupied the role in 2020 but was replaced by Quinn after the Cowboys conceded a franchise-record 473 points. Under Quinn’s guidance, the defense led the league in takeaways in 2021 and 2022, contributing to the Cowboys’ three consecutive 12-5 seasons and playoff appearances.
The Cowboys explored other candidates for the defensive coordinator position, including former Commanders coach Ron Rivera, their own defensive line coach Aden Durde, New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel, and former Buffalo Bills and New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, who is currently an ESPN analyst.
