Mike Zimmer is the Head Coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Here are 10 interesting facts about him.

Mike Zimmer who was born on June 5, 1956 in Peoria, Illinois. He is the Head Coach for the Minnesota Vikings and has been coaching college football since 1979 and in the NFL since 1998.

10 interesting facts about Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer

Facts #1:

Mike Zimmer was a three letter high school athlete in baseball, football and wrestling at Lockport Township High School in Illinois.

Facts #2:

Mike Zimmer played Quarterback at Illinois State University in 1974. He redshirted the following year and came back in 1976 as a linebacker. After breaking his thumb ending his days as a quarterback His football career ended that year because of an injury to his neck.

Facts #3:

Mike Zimmer coached from 1979 o 1993 in the college ranks as: Defensive Assistant at University of Missouri, Inside Linebackers Coach at Weber State University, Defensive Backs Coach at Weber State University, and Defensive Coordinator at Washington State University.

Facts #4:

Mike Zimmer coached the Washington State Cougars. His defense was ranked 8h in the nation sofr total defense and 2^nd in the country in rushing defense.

Facts #5:

Mike Zimmer was hired for his first NFL coaching position in 1994 by the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant coach of he nickel defense. From 1995 to 2000, he coached the defensive backs before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000.

Facts #6:

Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys from 2000-2006. During hose years, he Dallas Cowboys played a 4-3 defense and the 2003 Cowboys were ranked #1 in giving up the fewest yards in the NFL.

Facts #7:

Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator under four head coaches: Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo and Bill Parcells. Even though Mike Zimmer had no experience running a 3-4 defense that Parcells preferred, he was able to make the transition successfully. Zimmer left Dallas the following year to become the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons and was caught up when Head Coach Bobby Petrino unexpectedly quit the team and went to coach the University of Arkansas. Zimmer has been publicly critical of the way Petrino left the team without explanation.

Facts #8:

Mike Zimmer spent six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013. During those years. Zimmer won was named the 2009 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year by CBSSports and Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers. Zimmer found success in 2011, he Bengals were ranked 7th in defense in yardage and 9th in points allowed and improved in 2012 with the defense ranked 6th in yardage and 8th in points against.

Facts #9:

Mike Zimmer on January 5^th 2014 was named as the Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He is the 10^th head coach in the franchise history. Funny coincidence is hat the Vikings have a player with the exact same name who also attended Illinois State University and they are NOT related in any way.

Facts #10:

Mike Zimmer is a widow, his wife dying unexpectedly in his home in 2009. His father, Bill Zimmer played for the San Francisco 49ers. Mike's son, Adam Zimmer is the linebackers coach for the Vikings following his dad from the Cincinnati Bengals. Mike has two other children, Cori and Marki.

Sources: ESPN NFL, Minnesota Vikings, Bengals Team Page, Go RedBirds, Pioneer Press Twin Cities, Star Tribune, Sports Illustrated