The talk of this season has been regarding the eventual extension of Kevin O’Connell. The Minnesota Vikings never seriously were going to let him get away, and they got the deal done.
Before the regular season kicked off former head coach Mike Zimmer went scorched earth on the Vikings. He came across like a grumpy old man but still found a job anyways. It just didn’t last long.
Dallas Cowboys move on from former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer
After a disappointing season Jerry Jones decided he’d had enough of head coach Mike McCarthy. The Dallas Cowboys promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as his replacement, but the staff isn’t staying intact.
Mike Zimmer tells me that he will not be returning to the #Cowboys as a member of Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching staff and will likely retire from coaching in the NFL.
Zimmer served as defensive coordinator last season. Cowboys likely to hire Matt Eberflus as DC, per sources. pic.twitter.com/MhKp1Lpfkv— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 26, 2025
Zimmer lasted just a single season as the Cowboys defensive coordinator. Dallas was 28th in yards allowed per game this season, and they were 29th against the rush. Only the Carolina Panthers gave up more points per game than the Cowboys.
Of course it wasn’t easy for Dallas to compete after getting just eight games from starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Still though, Zimmer wasn’t capable of constructing a unit that earned him praise during his time with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Zimmer finished his eight year tenure as head coach of the Vikings with a 72-56 record. He coached for a total of 23 seasons and spent 15 of those as a defensive coordinator. After a two-year hiatus, Zimmer returned to Dallas for the first time since 2006.
Related: Vikings Linebackers Appear Committed to Minnesota
Even had he not offered the sentiment that the plan is to retire, it’s unlikely the 68-year-old would have had any suitors. His brash personality made him tough to work with, and waning coaching abilities weren’t going to open doors.