Former Vikings Head Coach Is Eying a Return to the NFL in 2024
Getting a job as an NFL head coach is never an easy task. Maintaining that job for many years may be even tougher.
Former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer did just that, though, by maintaining his post as the lead man in Minnesota for eight full seasons. During that time, Zimmer’s Vikings found plenty of success by going 72-56-1 during the regular season and making the playoffs three times, including the 2017 run to the NFC Championship Game.
Now, nearly two years after being relieved as the Vikings head coach following the 2021 season, it seems that Zimmer is looking to get back into the NFL in 2024.
Former Vikings Head Coach Is Eying a Return to the NFL
Zimmer is typically a man of few words, and he has kept a very low profile since his time as the Vikings head coach. However, he recently opened up in an interview with Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, chatting about his life since being let go by Minnesota and his future plans of coaching in the NFL.
It appears that Zimmer has kept himself busy by putting together an office on his property in Kentucky where he watches film and stays up to date with NFL schemes and tendencies. “I built a little office building that I go over there. I watch tape and study analytics and all of the different things that you kind of do, so just stay on top of the game.”
Pelissero then went on to ask Zimmer about the MVP race, how the NFC North has changed since he was coaching the Vikings, and Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Finally, Pelissero poked around the question that everyone was wondering: would Zimmer consider a return to the NFL, and if so, why?
“I love to teach, I love to coach,” Zimmer replied. “It’s just something that’s in your blood…I love being around the players, and I love the challenge of trying to make an organization better.”
If Zimmer were to return to the NFL, whichever team that brings him in would be getting one of the most experienced coaches in the entire league. He started out at the NFL level back in 1994 as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys and has 22 years of experience as a defensive coordinator or head coach.
While Zimmer’s tenure in Minnesota ended rather bitterly with a pair of losing seasons, he is well-regarded as a defensive wizard when it comes to formulating a gameplan and scheme.
There are plenty of teams that could use Zimmer’s services at the NFL level, so it will be interesting to see if the former Vikings coach does make a return in 2024, and if so, where will he go?
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.