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Mike Zimmer enters his first season with the Falcons after spending the past 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys,
including the last seven years as Defensive Coordinator.
During his time in Dallas, Zimmer established himself as one of the NFL's top defensive minds with a fundamentally sound and aggressive scheme. After joining the staff in 1994, he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2000. In seven of his 13 years with the club, the Cowboys ranked in the top 10 in total defense and pass defense, while advancing to the postseason seven times.
As Defensive Coordinator in Dallas, Zimmer has earned respect and recognition from around the NFL in 2005 as he adapted his defense to the Cowboys changing rosters by successfully overseeing the transition from the club's base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system.
Prior to assuming the Defensive Coordinator post, Zimmer directed the Cowboys Secondary that was one of the league's best throughout the second half of the 1990's.
In 2006, Zimmer coordinated a defense that finished ranked 13th in total defense and 10th in rush defense as Dallas advanced to the postseason. Second-year linebacker DeMarcus Ware ranked tied for second in the NFL with 11.5 sacks on the way to his first Pro Bowl honor, while veteran safety Roy Williams led the team in interceptions as he tied a career-high with five thefts en route to his fourth straight Pro Bowl under Zimmer's watch.
Incorporating as many as three rookies (Ware, Marcus Spears and Chris Canty) and another first-time starter (Bradie James) in the front seven, Zimmer's unit finished the year 10th in the NFL in total defense in 2005. A veteran secondary anchored by Williams, a three-time Pro Bowler, and third-year starter Terence Newman, allowed opponents to complete just 54.7% of their passes, the second lowest figure in the League.
Zimmer's 2004 defense was forced to play without the services of veteran safety Darren Woodson (back) for the year while rotating through four different players at right cornerback. The Cowboys defensive unit finished the season 16th in total defense, but came together over the final half of the season, recording 17 sacks and 17 turnovers while holding three opponents to 12 points-or-less.
In 2003, Zimmer's defense surrendered only an NFL best 253.5 yards average per game - the sixth best single-season performance in club history. The Cowboys led the NFL in pass defense, and closed out the season third in rush defense. The end result helped return Dallas to the playoffs after a three-year absence. The Dallas defense held six opponents to less than 10 points while finishing the year as the only NFL club to boast an opponents' pass completion percentage of less than 50% (48.6). The defense also led the NFL in fewest yards allowed on first down (4.13) and fewest first downs (14.3 per game) while ranking second in scoring defense (16.3). For the first time since 1998, three Dallas defenders earned Pro Bowl recognition as Williams, LaRoi Glover and linebacker Dexter Coakley represented the NFC in Hawaii.
Despite playing with the youngest secondary in the NFL in 2002, Zimmer's squad finished the year 18th in the NFL in total defense, 15th against the run and 19th against the pass. On a play-by-play basis, the Cowboys were sixth in the league in yards per play, third in rushing yards per attempt and 13th in passing yards-per-attempt. Only six teams allowed fewer touchdowns than the 32 given up by Dallas, and the 10 rushing touchdowns given up by Dallas was the fifth best total in the League. Five times during the season, the Dallas defense allowed 13 points or less. Setting the pace with young players, Zimmer had two rookies, safety Roy Williams and cornerback Derek Ross, tie for fourth in the NFC with five interceptions each.
In 2001, the Cowboys allowed 1,710 rushing yards, a figure that was 927 yards less than the club allowed during the 2000 season. That figure represented the largest turnaround in the NFL in 2001. The club's overall defense showed a 730-yard improvement when compared to the previous season, jumping the club from an overall NFL ranking of 19th in 2000 to fourth in 2001. The Dallas defense jumped from 31st against the run in 2000 to 13th, allowing an average of 106.9 yards per game on the ground. The Cowboys were third in the NFL (second in the NFC) in pass defense, giving up an average of 180.6 yards-per-game. The unit gave up fewer than 200 passing yards in seven of its last nine games, while allowing only one opposing quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in 16 regular season games.
The Cowboys 2000 defense battled through a string of injuries that forced a total of five key starters to miss a combined 33 games. The Dallas pass defense once again landed near the top of League rankings under Zimmer, finishing third in the NFL (second in NFC), allowing just 168.3 passing yards per game. Despite struggles early in the season, Zimmer's troops improved to finish the season ranked 19th in the NFL (ninth in NFC) in total defense, allowing 333.1 yards per game.
Prior to being promoted to Defensive Coordinator, Zimmer spent five years as Dallas' Defensive Backs Coach and a year as a Defensive Assistant working with the nickel defense. In six years under Zimmer's watchful eye, the Cowboys pass defense surrendered an average of 190.6 passing yards per game, the second lowest figure in the League over that time span (Philadelphia 187.4). In addition to finishing as one of the top two pass defenses in the NFL three times in that time frame, Dallas was the only team to have allowed fewer than 176.0 passing yards per game over a season three times.
Despite using five different starting lineups in the secondary in 1999, Zimmer's defensive backfield helped the Cowboys pass defense finish fourth in the NFC. The unit also tied for sixth in the NFL with 24 interceptions and returned four for touchdowns, tying the club record (1985, 1995). The Cowboys defense also limited seven opponents to 190 yards-or-less passing.
In 1998, the Cowboys were able to hold eight opponents to 200 yards passing or less, including four to 160 yards or less. Cornerback and former Falcon Deion Sanders led the team with five interceptions, totaling 153 return yards to earn his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth, while Woodson earned his fifth straight Pro Bowl appearance after leading the team with 136 tackles.
The Cowboys finished 1997 at or near the top of several NFL pass defense categories, including fewest completions allowed (253 - first), net yards per pass play (4.94 - third) and yards gained per completion (10.74 - third). The Cowboys also held five opponents to less than 120 yards passing and 12 to 176 yards or less.
In 1996, CB Kevin Smith returned from a ruptured Achilles tendon to tie for the team lead with five interceptions. Woodson earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth after finishing with 118 tackles and five interceptions to tie Smith for the team lead. Sanders intercepted two passes, knocked away another nine and recovered a team-high three fumbles to earn his fifth career Pro Bowl selection (and first with Dallas).
In his first season as Defensive Backs coach in 1995, Zimmer lost Smith for the year with a ruptured Achilles tendon in the season opener and did not have Sanders' services until week nine. Despite the injuries, the secondary surrendered only 204.5 passing yards per game, and Dallas returned four interceptions for touchdowns, tying the club record (1985). Through Zimmer's help, Dallas' defense allowed less than 200 yards passing in 10 of 16 games in the regular season and Zimmer was fitted for a Super Bowl ring as the Cowboys captured Super Bowl XXX with a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a Defensive Assistant in 1994, Zimmer worked with the Dallas nickel defense, which helped the secondary finish as the top ranked pass defense in the NFL (allowing only 172.0 passing yards per game) en route to advancing to the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco.
Before joining the Dallas staff, Zimmer spent five seasons as the Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach at Washington State. Zimmer's first Cougar defense in 1989 established a school record with 24 interceptions and 48 sacks. In 1993, the Cougars finished eighth in the nation in total defense and second in rushing defense.
Prior to joining the Cougars' staff, Zimmer was an assistant at Weber State from 1981-88. Zimmer coached inside linebackers from 1981-84, while adding the duties of Defensive Coordinator. From 1985-88, he served as coordinator and oversaw the secondary alongside current Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino, who served as the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach for the team from 1987-88.
Zimmer began his coaching career as a part-time assistant on defense at the University of Missouri in 1979, coaching, among others, All-Pro cornerbacks Eric Wright (San Francisco 49ers) and Johnnie Poe (New Orleans Saints).
Zimmer played quarterback at Illinois State University in 1974. After redshirting the 1975 season, he suffered a broken thumb in the spring of 1976 and was moved to linebacker. A neck injury suffered during the 1976 season led to surgery and the end of his playing career. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1979.
Zimmer was a two-time all-conference quarterback at Lockport (Ill.) High School in 1972-73, playing for his father, Bill, who played football at Bradley and later with the 49ers. Mike also earned all-conference honors in wrestling and baseball.
Born June 5, 1956 in Peoria, Illinois. Mike and wife Vikki have three children, Adam, Marki and Corri. Adam is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Saints. |
