Who is Mike Zimmer? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Michael Zimmer

Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Vikki Zimmer (m. ?–2009)

children: Adam Zimmer, Corri Zimmer

Born Country: United States

Coaches American Football Players

U.S. State: Illinois

City: Peoria, Illinois

More Facts

education: Illinois State University

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College Career

From 1979 to 1980, Mike Zimmer worked at his first coaching job as a part-time defensive assistant at the prestigious University of Missouri. He then went on to join Weber State College in 1981, initially serving as the inside linebackers coach and later shifting to the defensive backs coach, and eventually the defensive coordinator. He left Weber State College in 1988. From 1989-93, Zimmer served as the defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator at the Washington State Cougars.

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National Football League Career

Mike Zimmer began his National Football League Career in 1994, as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys. A year later, he earned a promotion and served as a defensive backs coach before becoming a defensive coordinator in 2000. In 2005, he implemented the 3-4 defense despite not having any prior experience with it.

In 2007, Zimmer was acquired by Atlanta Falcons as their new defensive coordinator. A year later, he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals as their defensive coordinator. In 2009, he was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year by CBSSports.com after his team managed to become the 4th ranked defense in the league. Zimmer left the Bengals in 2013.

On January 15, 2014, Zimmer became the head coach for the first time, replacing Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings. In September, he earned his first win as the team’s coach when the team won a match against the St. Louis Rams with a score of 34-6. He ended the year with 7 wins and 9 losses. The following year, he set a record of 11-5 and helped the Vikings win the NFC North, their first since 2009.

Zimmer finished the 2016 season with a record of 8-8. Then in 2017, he led his team to finish 13-3, marking one of the best seasons in the franchise history in terms of win percentage. On September 9, 2018, he became the 4th head coach in the franchise history to get 40 wins. Zimmer finished NFL’s 2018 season with a record of 8-7-1. He currently serves as the head coach of the Vikings.

Family & Personal Life

Michael “Mike” Zimmer was born on June 5, 1956, in Peoria, Illinois, to former NFL player Bill Zimmer. He studied at Lockport Township High School and later majored in physical education from Illinois State University.

Zimmer's wife, Vikki, passed away unexpectedly on October 8, 2009. His father died in August 2015, at the age of 84. The football coach has three children, Marki, Corri, and Adam.

Mike Zimmer Biography