Mike Zimmer is anticipated to join the Cowboys as defensive coordinator.
Sources close to the situation told The Dallas Morning News on Thursday that Mike Zimmer, the former head coach of the Vikings, is anticipated to join the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator.
Dan Quinn, who departed after the 2023 season to take a position as head coach of the Washington Commanders, is replaced by Zimmer. Prior to choosing Zimmer, the Cowboys considered Ron Rivera and Rex Ryan, two former head coaches and coordinators.
Pro Bowl players including Micah Parsons (edge), DeMarcus Lawrence (defensive end), Trevon Diggs, and DaRon Bland (cornerbacks) were among the Cowboys’ product under Quinn. During two of his three seasons in charge of defence, the Cowboys topped the NFL in turnovers.
But the Cowboys are coming off a playoff defeat to the Packers, where Aaron Jones, the running back, ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. In Week 3’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals and Week 14’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, both teams exceeded 200 rushing yards.
Zimmer is in his second season with the Cowboys. Working for the company for 13 years, he held positions as defensive assistant (1994), defensive backs coach (1995–99), and defensive coordinator (2000–06) in the end. The best defences under Zimmer finished fourth in 2001 and first in 2003. Following the 1995 season, Zimmer served as the defensive backs coach for the Cowboys’ final Super Bowl squad.
