Mike Zimmer: Lost In Transition

Mike Zimmer & Marvin Lewis (Photo credit: Navin75)

The ninth head football coach the Minnesota Vikings have employed since opening for business in 1961 is Mike Zimmer.  He has been the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals for the last few years, and has previously held the same position with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.  In keeping with Vikings' tradition, Zimmer has never had NFL head coaching experience.

Zimmer replaces Leslie Frazier, who was let go after the Vikings failed to make the playoffs.  He has since resurfaced as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under new coach Lovie Smith.

The Vikings hired Zimmer because the Bengals were one of the top defensive teams in the league this past season.  The Vikings were one of the worst, even though Frazier's specialty was defense prior to being promoted to head coach three seasons ago.

Zimmer was also hired for his apparent ability to light a fire under the players' butts.  To those of you who are familiar with the HBO series "Hard Knocks", which is an uncensored behind-the-scenes look at an NFL team during training camp, you have no doubt heard Zimmer make liberal use of the words not heard in normal conversation beyond rap lyrics.  He reminds us of Jerry Burns, a former Vikings coach for whom you also needed a seven-second delay.  By contrast. Frazier could have passed for Clark Kent.  Or NBA star Chris Paul's insurance agent twin brother in those State Farm TV commercials.

Though the Vikings need defensive help in the worst way, it was the quarterback situation that got the most attention this past season.  None of the starters they used--Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman--seemed to have been the answer.  The new offensive coordinator--reportedly, it's going to be Norv Turner, who until recently had the same job with the Cleveland Browns--will most likely have his hands full with whatever hotshot QB the Vikings end up drafting.  Or maybe he should just give the ball to Adrian Peterson.

Despite all the accolades and glowing reviews about Zimmer's past job performance, he should be considered a transitional coach.  The Vikings are going to play their home games outdoors for the next couple of years at the University of Minnesota, then move back indoors at their new downtown Minneapolis stadium.  They do not do well outdoors, and it could be rough going no matter who is coaching this team.  The best Mike Zimmer can hope for is to keep the ship on a steady course until they've reached their new port.