Mike Zimmer Mike Zimmer ( born June 5 , 1956 in Peoria , Illinois ) is the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals . He is the son of former NFL player Bill Zimmer and the father of Adam Zimmer , a former defensive assistant / linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs . Adam is currently a special teams assistant with the Bengals . Playing career . In high school , Zimmer was a successful multi - sport athlete who earned all - conference honors in football ( 1972 – 73 ) , baseball , and wrestling at Lockport Township High School . He enrolled at Illinois State University , majoring in physical education . He played quarterback in 1974 , but he redshirted the following year and moved to linebacker in 1976 after breaking his thumb . A neck injury prematurely ended his playing career that same year . Coaching career . College . Zimmer ' s first coaching job was as a part - time defensive assistant at the University of Missouri from 1979 – 1980 . He then coached at Weber State College from 1981 - 1988 , serving as the inside linebackers coach from 1981 – 84 , the defensive backs coach from 1985 – 88 , and the defensive coordinator from 1983 – 88 . From 1989 - 1993 , Zimmer served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Washington State Cougars . In 1993 , the Cougars defense ranked eighth in the nation in total defense and second in rushing defense . National Football League . Dallas Cowboys . He joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 as an assistant coach of the nickel defense under Barry Switzer . He was promoted to defensive backs coach in 1995 and served in that capacity before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000 . The 2003 Dallas Cowboys defense gave up the fewest yards in the NFL while running an aggressive , speedy 4 - 3 defense . Despite the Cowboys ' problems over the years , Zimmer survived several coaching changes ( Switzer , Chan Gailey , Dave Campo , Bill Parcells ) and was rumored to have been a candidate for the head coaching job at the University of Nebraska ( circa 2003 ) . In 2005 , he implemented the 3 - 4 defense favored by head coach Bill Parcells , although Zimmer had no prior experience with it . Atlanta Falcons . When Bobby Petrino was hired to coach the Atlanta Falcons early in 2007 , Mike Zimmer agreed to become the new defensive coordinator in Atlanta . Zimmer coached in Atlanta for only once season after Petrino left the Falcons for the University of Arkansas after thirteen games . Zimmer has been very outspoken against Petrino since the events of Petrino ' s unexpected departure from Atlanta in 2007 . Cincinnati Bengals . Zimmer was named the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals on January 15 , 2008 . In 2009 , Zimmer earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly / Pro Football Writers and from CBSSports . com , after guiding the Bengals to the 4th ranked defense in the league . In 2011 , the Bengals finished with the 7th ranked defense in total yards and 9th ranked defense in points allowed . In 2012 , the Bengals finished with the 6th ranked defense in total yards and 8th ranked defense in points allowed , prompting the Cleveland Browns to interview Zimmer for their head coaching vacancy . The Browns eventually hired former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski on January 11 , 2013 . Personal life . His wife , Vikki , died unexpectedly at their Ohio home on October 8 , 2009 . Three days later Zimmer was awarded the game ball by head coach Marvin Lewis after the team ' s 17 - 14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens .