Mike Zimmer

Coaching Record

Years Coached Record Win % Playoff record Playoff win %
29 233-218-2 51.66% 7-13 35.00%

Coaching Tree

Parents:

Dave Campo, Chan Gailey, Marvin Lewis, Bill Parcells, Bobby Petrino, Barry Switzer

Children:

Jonathan Gannon, Kevin Stefanski


Biography

Table of Contents

Career Summary

Mike Zimmer is a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) and has been the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys since 2024. Prior to this season, he coached for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings for twenty-eight seasons. His most recent position was with the Vikings as their head coach. He was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 until the 2021 season, during which time the Vikings went 72-56-1. During his career he was a head coach for eight seasons. He was fired from the Vikings on Monday, January 10, 2022. The Vikings defense during Zimmer's final two seasons hit historic lows, setting the record for the most points allowed in the final two minutes of a half in 2020 at 107 points, and surpassed that in 2021 with 128 points.

Mike Zimmer Coaching Tree

Before he was a head coach, Zimmer served as an assistant coach for Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells, Bobby Petrino, Marvin Lewis, and Mike McCarthy. Six of these years were spent on Lewis' coaching staff. During his time as head coach, two assistant coaches, (Jonathan Gannon and Kevin Stefanski) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 43-48-0 in the regular season and 1-2 in the playoffs during their seven seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.

Playing Career

Zimmer played quarterback while at college.

Personal Information

Zimmer was born on Tuesday, June 5, 1956 in Peoria, Illinois.


History

Year Position Record Playoff record
2024 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 2-2-0 0-0
2021 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 8-9-0 0-0
2020 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2019 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 10-6-0 1-1
2018 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 8-7-1 0-0
2017 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 13-3-0 1-1
2016 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 8-8-0 0-0
2015 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 11-5-0 0-1
2014 Minnesota Vikings Head Coach 7-9-0 0-0
2013 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator 11-5-0 0-1
2012 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator 10-6-0 0-1
2011 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator 9-7-0 0-1
2010 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator 4-12-0 0-0
2009 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator 10-6-0 0-1
2008 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator 4-11-1 0-0
2007 Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator 4-12-0 0-0
2006 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 9-7-0 0-1
2005 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 9-7-0 0-0
2004 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 6-10-0 0-0
2003 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 10-6-0 0-1
2002 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 5-11-0 0-0
2001 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 5-11-0 0-0
2000 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 5-11-0 0-0
1999 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Backs Coach 8-8-0 0-1
1998 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Backs Coach 10-6-0 0-1
1997 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Backs Coach 6-10-0 0-0
1996 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Backs Coach 10-6-0 1-1
1995 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Backs Coach 12-4-0 3-0
1994 Dallas Cowboys Defensive Assistant Coach 12-4-0 1-1
1993 Washington State Cougars Defensive Coordinator 5-6-0
1992 Washington State Cougars Defensive Coordinator 9-3-0
1991 Washington State Cougars Defensive Coordinator 4-7-0
1990 Washington State Cougars Defensive Coordinator 3-8-0
1989 Washington State Cougars Defensive Coordinator 6-5-0
1980 Missouri Tigers Assistant Coach 8-4-0
1979 Missouri Tigers Assistant Coach 7-5-0

Coach history guide

Seasons with a championship win Seasons with a conference championship

Coach facts

  • Years as head coach: 8
  • Years as a coordinator: 15
  • Championships won: 1995
  • Conference Championships won: 1995
  • Third in total wins for the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Fourth in winning percentage for the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Past teams coached for: Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons
  • College Attended: Illinois State Redbirds
  • Position Played: Quarterback
  • Family Members: Adam Zimmer, Son
  • Date of Birth: Tuesday, June 5, 1956 (68 years old), Peoria, Illinois