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Mike Zimmer is a tough old school football coach. Some have called him a “moron” (or perhaps worse).
The truth is, most players love playing for it (and beat writers love to cover it).
Zimmer was introduced as the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator on Wednesday, benching him again for the first time since 2021. For the first time in four years, the Cowboys defense will be called up by someone other than Dan Quinn , who left to become the head coach of the commanders.
“There’s this reputation that I’m an idiot or something,” Zimmer said. “It is what it is, I guess. But you know, since it was announced that I was going to be here, I’ve heard from a lot of players who played for me. The players here, not just the defensive backs, the linebackers and the defensive linemen have texted me and told me how happy they were for me. I think if I were such an idiot I wouldn’t have heard from those guys.”
Vikings safety Harrison Smith, who played for Zimmer from 2014-2021, calls the former Vikings head coach “an acquired taste.” Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson, who played for Zimmer from 1994 to 2003, is among former players of his who say players have to adapt to the advantage Zimmer has over him.
Zimmer disagrees.
“Those who want to be great, they want to be coached,” Zimmer said. “There are many more social networks. There are a lot more things happening from the outside. Those I have met, the young ones, those who want to be great, want to be trained. They want to study. They want to understand how they can improve. Most great players want to know, ‘How can you make me better?’”
Former Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes, the 25th pick in 2013, is a player Zimmer said he pushed a lot. Rhodes made three Pro Bowls and was once an All-Pro, and the former player is still in a relationship with his former coach.
“Xavier Rhodes called me probably five months ago,” Zimmer said. “I was behind him every day for being disciplined, having the right footwork, all of that. He became a great player, he called me and just said, ‘Coach, I know how hard he was on me, but I appreciate what he’s done for me and the family’ and stuff like that. You hear that. I was probably too harsh on a lot of players, but I’ve heard it several times. It makes you feel good that they understand that you are just trying to help them. “You’re not trying to just be a bad guy or something.”