thaisiambet Mike Zimmer wants to rebuild his reputation and accepts the job from the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. thaisiambet

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has revealed why he decided to return to Dallas to prove that he is not the bad coach many have accused him of being, according to the Minnesota Star-Tribune.  ( thaisiambet )

Zimmer hasn’t coached since 2021, ending an eight-year stint as head coach with the Minnesota Vikings before returning to the Cowboys as defensive coordinator, having previously served in that role from 2001-2006 and six years on staff before that. It makes sense both as a fit and an opportunity to combat the negativity that has plagued his time in Minnesota.

“Part of the reason I came back was I had to do it for myself, because I didn’t want people to think I was a bad coach,” Zimmer told Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. “People tell me, ‘You have nothing to prove after Minnesota,’ but I felt like I had nothing to prove.” 

His eight-year stint as head coach with the Vikings wasn’t a bad one, considering he posted a 72-56-1 record, a .562 winning percentage, two NFC North titles, and finished no worse than 11th in scoring defense during his first six years at the helm.

Zimmer also led the Vikings to three playoff appearances and a trip to the NFC Championship Game in 2017, the franchise’s first appearance since 1977. 

Zimmer returns to Dallas to rebuild his reputation, but the 68-year-old coach doesn’t expect redemption to lead to a future head coaching opportunity.

“A lot of guys who have worse stats than me have gotten a second chance, but I don’t think it’s going to happen because of my age,” Zimmer said. “And teams are looking for anyone who can coach quarterbacks right now. It’s just the way it is.”