Mike Zimmer

About

Defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals from 2000 to 2013; took over as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2014.

Before Fame

He was a standout football player, baseball player, and wrestler at Lockport Township High School in Lockport, Illinois.

Trivia

In his six seasons as defensive coordinator for the Bengals, from 2008 to 2013, he was able to turn the team's defense into one of the NFL's elite units. The team made the AFC playoffs in each of his last three years with the team.

Family Life

He had three children, Adam, Corri, and Marki, with his wife Vikki, who died unexpectedly in October of 2009.

Associated With

He was brought in to coach the Vikings a few weeks after the team fired Leslie Frazier, who could only muster 5 wins out of the Vikings in his final season with the team.