Hired by the new Cowboys Regarding his “reputation,” Mike Zimmer says he’s a “jerk.”
Former Vikings players accused Zimmer of fostering a “toxic” atmosphere.
After Mike Zimmer was sacked as the Minnesota Vikings’ coach in the early months of 2022 after eight seasons in the position, some of his former players have been dragging him over hot coals. After two seasons away from the NFL, Zimmer is back in Dallas as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. He responded to a query on Wednesday on his perceived reputation as a “jerk” among some of his former teammates.
It’s true that some people have the impression that I’m a jerk or something. I suppose it is what it is,” Zimmer said. “However, ever since it was revealed that I would be here, several guys that I played with—not only defensive backs, but linebackers and defensive linemen as well—have emailed me to express their happiness for me. I doubt I would be hearing from those men if I was such a jerk.”
When former Vikings cornerback Cam Dantzler was sidelined with an injury in 2021, the third-round selection by the team in 2020, Dantzler said Zimmer informed him he doesn’t talk to injured players.
“Whoa, I think to myself. Alright. That’s what he said,” Dantzler said to Go Long’s Tyler Dunne. “I’m a gregarious individual. People find my personality appealing. I light up the space. I’m not sure. He is an antiquated kind of man. He didn’t sense it.
Since Zimmer was fired in January 2022, former general manager Rick Spielman, current right tackle Brian O’Neill, and former Vikings Eric Kendricks and Adam Thielen have all criticized the player. Terence Newman, a former Vikings cornerback, also informed Dunne that Zimmer fostered a “toxic” atmosphere.
Dunne reportedly claimed to have spoken with an unidentified former Vikings aide who called Zimmer “Satan.”
Zimmer, according to Kendricks, is to blame for Minnesota’s “fear-based” culture. O’Neill declared that Minnesota would embrace a “culture shift” following Zimmer’s dismissal. The GM position was challenging, according to Spielman, who was also fired in January 2022, since Zimmer regularly changed his offensive coordinator.
Uncertainty surrounds the number of former Vikings that contacted Zimmer on his new position in Dallas, but he stated there had been “several.”
“”A lot of these guys, when you hear from these guys and they call you – and I’ve had several Minnesota players call me as well – I think that’s, it makes you feel good because they think about you and they appreciate you,” Zimmer stated.
The 67-year-old coach acknowledged that he is a tough leader. He has the fourth-highest winning percentage (.562) in Vikings coaching history, behind only Bud Grant (.621), Dennis Green (.610), and Kevin O’Connell (.588).
He stated on Wednesday, “I try to get the best out of the players, so I’m demanding.” One guy I had was excellent at his position and you couldn’t shout at him. You have to whisper to him, put your arm around him, and converse. He was not fond of
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