Although Mike McCarthy is now out of danger, the Dallas Cowboys will likely be making changes to their coaching staff in the offseason. Multiple job opportunities have been offered to the Cowboys by Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore, who are both considered potential candidates for multiple coaching jobs.
Quinn is the favorite to be the Broncos’ head coach. This could create a large hole in the position of defensive coordinator. ESPN’s Todd Archer suggests that the Cowboys might turn to a familiar face for the job. Archer suggested Mike Zimmer, former Vikings coach, as a potential replacement for Quinn.
Archer explained on January 19 that Mike Zimmer, former Minnesota Vikings coach, might be an option outside the building. McCarthy is a long-standing admirer of his work and he has a long history working with the Joneses.
Zimmer’s highlights in his role as Vikings coach are a 13-3 record in 2017, a 5-5 record in 2015, and going 10-6 for 2019. This likely contributed to Minnesota’s staff overhaul.
From 1994 to 2006, Zimmer served as a long-time Cowboys assistant. He held various positions including defensive assistant and defensive backs coach. Zimmer was most recently the Vikings’ head coach, serving from 2014 to 2021. Minnesota made this change in the offseason. Sports Illustrated’s Mike Fisher reported Zimmer would be a top choice for the Cowboys, if Quinn leaves.
Fisher explained that “His next task might be to continue pushing the Dallas Cowboys above that hump – in 2022.” Fisher explained this on January 10. “Zimmer was officially fired by the Vikings Monday morning, along with GM Rick Spielman according to NFL Network.
CowboysSI.com has been told by sources that Zimmer, a former Cowboys assistant and with strong ties to the Jones family, will be a high-ranking candidate to replace Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator.
Archer suggests that the Cowboys might look to replace Quinn internally by naming Joe Whitt Jr., passing game coordinator, as a top candidate. George Edwards, defensive assistant, is another name worth keeping an eye on.
Archer stated that “if the Cowboys lose Quinn,” McCarthy would have his third defense coordinator in as many seasons. He could also look to Joe Whitt Jr., the secondary coach and passing-game coordinator, or George Edwards, senior defensive assistant, as replacements. Whitt called Quinn’s defense during a preseason match. He is a natural pick because of his long-standing connection with McCarthy in Green Bay.
It remains to be seen whether Zimmer will return to coaching immediately after being fired by Vikings. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Zimmer had no interest in coaching the Cowboys after the job was offered briefly. It will be interesting to see if Zimmer’s attitude has changed since he no longer serves as a head coach.
“People are trying to connect dots with Vikings’ coach Mike Zimmer to @dallascowboys HC, but source says Zim enjoys it in Minny,” Mortensen tweeted January 5, 2020. “He won’t accept coaching as a lame duck for 2020, but even if it did, source stated that 13 years in Dallas was sufficient.”