Zimmer made his way to the NFL in 1994 and was defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys until 1999. From 2000 to 2006 he remained in Dallas as defensive coordinator. Zimmer was defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2007 and Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013. He became head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. Mike’s son Bill Zimmer was an NFL player and his son Adam is a linebackers coach of the Vikings and won a Super Bowl championship as assistant linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints.