Thoughts on Mike Zimmer

[the_h0wey]

Is it just me or does it seem more and more like Mike Zimmer just may be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. A thread I read right here on the zone a couple of days ago really got me thinking about this possibility when it had Bill Parcells quoted as saying that Zimmer would not have an official title or position he would be coaching this up-coming season. I know the thought of Zimmer as the next head coach of our beloved Cowboys scares many of you, and I must admit I was more than slightly troubled by the idea myself.

I think one thing we can all agree on is that the defense last year was much better than it was the year before.

The improvement seemed to stem from Parcells changing our defensive scheme from the 4-3 to the 3-4. The type of players we brought in through the draft and free agency undoubtedly played a role in our step in the right direction as well. (God bless Jeff Ireland) This is the same type of defensive formation that Parcells has run and had success with at his other coaching jobs. Before last season many of us zoners were very skepticle on how Zimmer, who had never coached a 3-4 defense before, would handle this transition. I think the majority of cowboy fans would agree this transition went relatively smoothly, and we have a much better, not to mention younger, defense because of it. Think back to how many games last year we were kept in almost soley because of our defensive play.

Let me now remind you that Mike Zimmer was our defensive coordinator...
If Parcells is allowing the Zimmeister to coach more than just the defense this year, it has to certainly mean that he must have faith in Zimmer's coaching abilities. I think it is overwhelmingly evident to all of us that the New Jersey Con Man has had a pretty darn good track record of spotting coaching talent. And in case you have been living under a rock for the past twenty years I have taken the liberty to list some of the coaches that have had success in the NFL and College ranks that have coached under Parcells at some point in their career.

1. Bill Belichick is probably the best known of the bunch, and is currently the head coach for the 3 time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

2. Tom Coughlin was an assistant coach on Parcells 1990 Giants championship team, was also the first coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and is now the head coach for the NY Giants which currently are the defending NFC East champions. (It kills me to say that)

3. Romeo Crennel also was a Giants assistant coach under Parcells, and is now the head coach of the Cleveland Browns who seem to be due for a break out season coming off arguably the best off-season in the NFL this year.

4. Charlie Weis is yet another Giants assistant, won 3 super bowls as the offensive coordinator of the Pats, and is now the head coach to the greatest and most prestigous college football team in history, Notre Dame. (I may be a bit biased)

5. Sean Payton should be a name we are all familiar with, and is now the head coach of the NO Saints. While Payton might not be nearly as proven as some of the other names on this list, it should be fun to watch how the Saints do under his guidance.

I understand that much of this thread about Mike Zimmer possibly being the Boys future coach is nothing more than PURE speculation. I do know one thing for sure though. Bill Parcells without a doubt knows coaching. I trust the vast majority of decisions Bill has made since becoming the Cowboys head coach, and believe we are a MUCH more talented/younger/mentally tougher team because of him. In no way whatsoever is it clear who the Boys next head coach will be, but if it is Mike Zimmer it might not be half as bad as Cowboys fans might think. So I will be the first to say in Bill I trust, and possibly Zimmer...maybe...someday

 

[SteveOS]

Great post, but I think our next coach will be someone not on the current staff.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think learning under Parcells is a plus for Zimmer, I don't know if he will one day be offered the job but I do think someone will give him a chance just as we have seen other Parcells assistant coaches get oppertunities.

 

[sago1]

While it could very well be Zimmer Jones turns to once Parcells leaves, I wouldn't think he's the first choice. We need to remember that the Cowboys made no effort to block Zimmer's meeting with the Rams for their head coaching job. If Cowboys seriously had their sights on Zimmer as Parcells successor, Jones/Parcells would have stopped it--like Skins did with DC Greg Williams. On the other hand we did stop Payton's efforts to grab Sparano away as his OC.

I do think Jones would look at a coach whose worked within the Parcells/Belicheck family tree. His first choice would probably be Charlie Weis if Weis wants return to NFL. I'm hoping Parcells will be our HC thru 07 cause frankly I think it more probable Weis would be interested in returning to NFL after 3 years as ND head coach--we could even make him the offer to come in as Asst HC & Parcells replacement before 07 starts just to get a leg up on any other team who interested in him.

 

[BARRYRAY]

Well I tell you if he's anything like Sean Payton he'll be great, anybody notice that he got a qb we talked about acquiring Drew Brees and a fair rb to go with him from USC and he got one and almost two of our FA's. This guy will turn New Orleans around, hope they end up in SA down the road. Go Saints...

 

[Doomsday101]

While it could very well be Zimmer Jones turns to once Parcells leaves, I wouldn't think he's the first choice. We need to remember that the Cowboys made no effort to block Zimmer's meeting with the Rams for their head coaching job. If Cowboys seriously had their sights on Zimmer as Parcells successor, Jones/Parcells would have stopped it--like Skins did with DC Greg Williams. On the other hand we did stop Payton's efforts to grab Sparano away as his OC.

I do think Jones would look at a coach whose worked within the Parcells/Belicheck family tree. His first choice would probably be Charlie Weis if Weis wants return to NFL. I'm hoping Parcells will be our HC thru 07 cause frankly I think it more probable Weis would be interested in returning to NFL after 3 years as ND head coach--we could even make him the offer to come in as Asst HC & Parcells replacement before 07 starts just to get a leg up on any other team who interested in him.

Dallas gave Zimmer a pay raise to keep him in Dallas when he was being offered a HC job.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Well I tell you if he's anything like Sean Payton he'll be great, anybody notice that he got a qb we talked about acquiring Drew Brees and a fair rb to go with him from USC and he got one and almost two of our FA's. This guy will turn New Orleans around, hope they end up in SA down the road. Go Saints...

Let's not put Brees in to the HOF yet

That was a nasty shoulder injury

 

[ndanger]

Dallas gave Zimmer a pay raise to keep him in Dallas when he was being offered a HC job.

Yeah but was'nt that the year before and a head coaching job at the college ranks?

 

[DallasInDC]

Great post, but I think our next coach will be someone not on the current staff.

I tend to agree with Howey. Zimmer gets alot more respect from VR than he does from fans on message boards. These are just some of the reasons I believe this:

• We all know JJ thinks highly of him
• He is one of the few coaches on BP's staff that is a holdover who was not a FOB
• He has been discussed as a head coach every year during the HC turnstile game
• He turned down more money to coach somewhere else
• He was challenged to learn a new scheme and pull it off with a bunch of rookies and players not necessarily suited for the 3-4 and did a commendable job
• He has a lot of respect from the players

But the ultimate sign is that BP has stated more than once that Zimmer reminds him of himself. And these types of coaches have all gone on to have successful HC careers.

I for one would not be against this idea. know it's not popular to give Zimmer credit on this board, but I think Zimmer has done a tremendous job when you look at what he has had to work with, i.e. poor talent in the campo/early parcell years and youth and transition to a new scheme this past year. He has had the opportunity to learn from the best (BP) and the worst (Campo). this will only allow him to be a better HC. Let BP groom him for a couple of more years and he will be ready. Plus it allows for continuity.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yeah but was'nt that the year before and a head coaching job at the college ranks?

It was 2004 and the offer was from Neb. Not sure what that has to do with anything Weiss took the job a ND. Both are major college programs. Zimmer is with Dallas because Bill wants him there. I'm not saying he will one day be offered the HC job with Dallas but I think that it is very possiable. Working under a coach like Bill opens oppertunities for any assistant coach.

 

[Doomsday101]

I tend to agree with Howey. Zimmer gets alot more respect from VR than he does from fans on message boards. These are just some of the reasons I believe this:

• We all know JJ thinks highly of him
• He is one of the few coaches on BP's staff that is a holdover
• He has been discussed as a head coach every year during the HC turnstile game
• He turned down more money to coach somewhere else
• He was challenged to learn a new scheme and pull it off with a bunch of rookies and players not necessarily suited for the 3-4 and did a commendable job
• He has a lot of respect from the players

But the ultimate sign is that BP has stated more than once that Zimmer reminds him of himself. And these types of coaches have all gone on to have successful HC careers.

I for one would not be against this idea. know it's not popular to give Zimmer credit on this board, but I think Zimmer has done a tremendous job when you look at what he has had to work with, i.e. poor talent in the campo/early parcell years and youth and transition to a new scheme this past year. He has had the opportunity to learn from the best (BP) and the worst (Campo). this will only allow him to be a better HC. Let BP groom him for a couple of more years and he will be ready. Plus it allows for continuity.

I agree with you.

 

[the_h0wey]

Dallas gave Zimmer a pay raise to keep him in Dallas when he was being offered a HC job.

Which again makes this Zimmer speculation all the more interesting. Well to me at least

 

[ndanger]

It was 2004 and the offer was from Neb. Not sure what that has to do with anything Weiss took the job a ND. Both are major college programs. Zimmer is with Dallas because Bill wants him there. I'm not saying he will one day be offered the HC job with Dallas but I think that it is very possiable. Working under a coach like Bill opens oppertunities for any assistant coach.

I thought you were referencing the pay raise in response to the poster saying Dallas made no attempt at blocking his interviewing for the Rams job,my bad.

 

[Doomsday101]

I thought you were referencing the pay raise in response to the poster saying Dallas made no attempt at blocking his interviewing for the Rams job,my bad.

No problem.

 

[Joe a Cowboys fan]

I think Bill will nomenate his own successor when the time comes, the question them will be does JJ agree or disagree with Bill's choice. Thats when the nitty will hit the gritty. But thats in the future so what me worry?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

My choice please....

4. Charlie Weis

 

[stealth]

Well I tell you if he's anything like Sean Payton he'll be great, anybody notice that he got a qb we talked about acquiring Drew Brees and a fair rb to go with him from USC and he got one and almost two of our FA's. This guy will turn New Orleans around, hope they end up in SA down the road. Go Saints...

I woudl be willing to bet lendale white is much better than a fair RB.

and for whatever reason zimmer looks creepy to me, he gives me the willies.

 

[tunahelper]

Can Zimmer handle the offense and ST with the same success?
Sometimes good Assistants are not qualified head coaches.
I read an article somewhere that the Rams were not impressed with his vision of the team. It also implied many teams were not impressed with him as a HC.
So I am not sure he would be the ideal candidate. Maybe Charlie Weiss or another high profile name.