Former Vikings coach is making national headlines after conflicting reports
One former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings is making headlines this week. Despite conflicting reports, Larry Fitzgerald Sr. reports that Mike Zimmer is expected to follow Deion Sanders to the University of Colorado, where he will serve as defensive coordinator. Zimmer, who was the Vikings’ head coach from 2014-2021, had a 72-56-1 record at […]
One former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings is making headlines this week. Despite conflicting reports, Larry Fitzgerald Sr. reports that Mike Zimmer is expected to follow Deion Sanders to the University of Colorado, where he will serve as defensive coordinator.
Zimmer, who was the Vikings’ head coach from 2014-2021, had a 72-56-1 record at the helm in Minnesota. Since his firing, Zimmer served on Sanders’ coaching staff at Jackson State University as an analyst.
Zimmer has a close relationship with Sanders that dates all the way back to 1995. In his second season coaching in the NFL, Zimmer was the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backs coach. In that offseason, Sanders opted to leave the San Francisco 49ers and sign with the Cowboys where the two became close.
While Fitzgerald's report stirred excitement on social media and beyond, Buffzone's Colorado Buffaloes beat writer Brian Howell reports the team is going in a different direction.
Whether or not Zimmer lands a prominent role on one of college football’s most intriguing coaching staffs, the Vikings won't be regretting the decision to move on. After all, Kevin O’Connell is one of the frontrunners for the NFL’s Coach of the Year Award.
In fact, BetMGM lists O’Connell (+350) just behind the Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Sirianni (-185) to win the prestigious award. Robert Saleh of the New York Jets (+1200) is in a distant third place.
Minnesota is taking a 10-2 record into Week 14 with a home matchup against the Detroit Lions on tap for Sunday. Vikings fans hope that O’Connell’s success carries into the postseason, which is where Zimmer (2-3) fell short during his tenure in Minnesota.
Featured image via Jeffrey Becker – USA TODAY Sports
