Coach Profile

After helping shape the Cowboys pass defense into one of the NFL's best in the second half of the 1990s, Mike Zimmer was handed the responsibility of coordinating the Cowboys defense on Feb. 1, 2000. During his nine seasons in Dallas, Zimmer has been a part of four NFC Eastern Division titles and the Cowboys Super Bowl XXX win over Pittsburgh. Five times in those nine seasons, the Dallas defense has finished the year ranked in the top 10 in total defense, and six times the club has ranked in the top 10 in pass defense. In three seasons directing the Dallas defense, Zimmer has earned respect and recognition from around the NFL as he oversaw the retooling of his unit into a younger, quicker, faster and better squad in a very short period of time.

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 year, 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, 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 league 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 league 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. Deion Sanders led the team with five interceptions totaling 153 return yards to earn his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth, while Darren 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, 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 (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).

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 league (172.0 passing yards-per-game).

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 College from 1981-88. Zimmer coached inside linebackers from 1981-84, while adding the duties of defensive coordinator in 1983. From 1985-88, he served as coordinator and oversaw the secondary.

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, Ill., Mike and wife Vikki have three children, Adam (1/13/84) � a defensive back at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas � Marki (4/30/87) and Corri (2/22/90).