Report: Dallas Cowboys expected to hire Mike Zimmer as new defensive coordinator

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mike zimmer cowboys — Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys are expected to to hire new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. He worked in Dallas for multiple head coaches.

Zimmer interviewed for the job Saturday. The Cowboys have a defensive coordinator opening after Dan Quinn took the head coaching job with the Washington Commanders.

So why Zimmer? What made him so attractive to Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and owner Jerry Jones? The 67-year-old took his first job with the Cowboys way back in 1994. Dallas was a year removed from Jimmy Johnson, so Zimmer’s first boss was Barry Switzer who hired him to assist with Dallas’ nickel defensive coverages. Zimmer also survived coaching changes from Switzer to Chan Gailey, Dave Campo and Bill Parcells.

He became the Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2000. His base defense of choice was the 4-3, although he did run the 3-4 with Parcells.

mike mccarthy dan quinn cowboys — Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy needed to find his third defensive coordinator after the Commanders hired Dan Quinn. (Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports)

Zimmer left Dallas in 2007 to serve as DC for the Atlanta Falcons. He also worked the same role with the Bengals. Then the Vikings hired Zimmer as their head coach in early 2014. He lasted eight years with the Vikings and became one of the franchise’s most winningest coaches.

While Zimmer was in Minnesota, his Vikings played McCarthy’s Packers twice a season. Of course, McCarthy joined the Cowboys in 2020. Meanwhile, Zimmer hasn’t worked in the NFL since 2021.

The Cowboys also reportedly considered Joe Whitt Jr., the team’s pass defense’s game coordinator. Ron Rivera, whom Quinn replaced at Washington, also was a candidate to take over the Cowboys’ defense.

The Cowboys have had two different defensive coordinators under McCarthy. Zimmer is the third. Meanwhile, Quinn emerged as the Commanders’ choice after the team considered eight candidates. They also included Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson along with Detroit DC Aaron Glenn; Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver; Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik; former Rams DC Raheem Morris and Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.