Mike Zimmer coached in the NFL from 1994 to 2024, spanning 29 seasons with 4 organizations. He served as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. His roles included Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs, and Defensive Assistant. He worked under Barry Switzer, Bill Parcells, and Bobby Petrino. 3 of his former assistants went on to become NFL head coaches.

Coaching Tree

Head Coach Offense Defense Special Teams General

Career Timeline

Career History

Year	Team	Role(s)
2024	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Mike McCarthy
2021	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2020	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2019	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2018	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2017	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2016	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2015	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2014	Minnesota Vikings	Head Coach HC
2013	Cincinnati Bengals	Defensive Coordinator under Marvin Lewis
2012	Cincinnati Bengals	Defensive Coordinator under Marvin Lewis
2011	Cincinnati Bengals	Defensive Coordinator under Marvin Lewis
2010	Cincinnati Bengals	Defensive Coordinator under Marvin Lewis
2009	Cincinnati Bengals	Defensive Coordinator under Marvin Lewis
2008	Cincinnati Bengals	Defensive Coordinator under Marvin Lewis
2007	Atlanta Falcons	Defensive Coordinator under Bobby Petrino
2006	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Bill Parcells
2005	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Bill Parcells
2004	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Bill Parcells
2003	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Bill Parcells
2002	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Dave Campo
2001	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator under Dave Campo
2000	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs under Dave Campo
1999	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Backs under Chan Gailey
1998	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Backs under Chan Gailey
1997	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Backs under Barry Switzer
1996	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Backs under Barry Switzer
1995	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Backs under Barry Switzer
1994	Dallas Cowboys	Defensive Assistant under Barry Switzer

Worked Under (7)

Coach	Team	Years
Barry Switzer	Dallas Cowboys	4
Bill Parcells	Dallas Cowboys	4
Bobby Petrino	Atlanta Falcons	1
Chan Gailey	Dallas Cowboys	2
Dave Campo	Dallas Cowboys	3
Marvin Lewis	Cincinnati Bengals	6
Mike McCarthy	Dallas Cowboys	1

Protégés (3)

Coach	First HC Job	Year
Kevin Stefanski	Cleveland Browns	2020
Jonathan Gannon	Arizona Cardinals	2023
Klint Kubiak	Las Vegas Raiders	2026