Super Bowl-starved Dallas fans are familiar with the name of the Cowboys’ most recent coaching hiring.
After losing badly to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, many predicted the Dallas Cowboys would zig rather than zag. As the Cowboys attempt to snap a 28-year Super Bowl drought, owner Jerry Jones has openly supported head coach Mike McCarthy and decided to retain him until the 2024 season. The team has a solid roster and doesn’t appear to be set to lose any key players.
However, McCarthy’s staff is changing, partly due to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s decision to accept the head coaching position with the Washington Commanders. Jones has called up his longtime friend Mike Zimmer to take over as the Dallas defense coach starting in the upcoming campaign.
Zimmer rejoins the Cowboys
Over his twelve years in Dallas, Zimmer established himself as one of the most esteemed defensive brains in the NFL. Prior to leaving Dallas in 2006 to take the helm of the defense for the Atlanta Falcons, Zimmer served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2000 to 2006. He was employed by the team from 1994 to 2006.
With 72 victories, Zimmer leaves the Minnesota Vikings as the third-most successful coach in franchise history. He led the team from 2014 to 2021. Between 2016 and 2018, Minnesota had a top-five defense by yards allowed every year; during this time, the team appeared in the NFC Championship Game in 2017.
Under Quinn’s direction, the Cowboys’ defense was never as effective than it was in 2023. Dallas gave up the most scores and yards in the end, ranking sixth, but their collapse came at the worst conceivable moment. In the playoffs, Dallas failed to force a turnover and gave up more over 400 yards overall against the Packers.
The San Francisco 49ers’ recent success has made it believed that a defense directed by Zimmer would fare better against “Shanahan-style” offenses that have swept the NFL by storm. If the Cowboys are to make it back to the Super Bowl after a lengthy absence, they will have to defeat teams like the 49ers, and Zimmer’s defense will give both man-to-man coverage abilities and disguised coverages top priority.