Longtime NFL Coach Mike Zimmer Attends Colorado Buffaloes Practice

Zimmer and Coach Prime have a rich history dating back to 1995. At the peak of his illustrious NFL career, Sanders joined the Dallas Cowboys where Zimmer was in his second season as defensive backs coach. The pair won a Super Bowl together in year one, and Zimmer mentored the legendary cornerback through four additional campaigns.

After 27 of his now 28 years of NFL coaching, Zimmer flipped the script and worked under Sanders as an analyst and consultant with the Jackson State Tigers in 2022. Reportedly, he followed Coach Prime to the Buffaloes for a similar role in 2023, though his hiring was never made official.

Zimmer has also crossed paths with several current Colorado coaches. After 12 years with the Cowboys and a one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Zimmer served as defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013. Livingston earned his first NFL coaching job in 2012 as a Bengals scout, while Peko started 94 percent of games during Zimmer's tenure at defensive tackle.

With Cincy, Zimmer gained the reputation of a defensive guru and earned his stripes. In 2010, he was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year and winner of the George Halas Award for leading the league's fourth-best defense after the tragic mid-season death of his wife, Vikki Zimmer.

Zimmer achieved his first and only head coaching job in 2014 with the Minnesota Vikings. Over eight seasons, he oversaw three playoff berths, two division titles and one NFC Championship appearance before being fired in 2022.

Zimmer returned to Dallas in 2024 for a second run as defensive coordinator. His unit struggled, mainly against the run, leading to Zimmer and the Cowboys going their separate ways after the season. ESPN insider Ed Werder reported that he would likely retire from coaching in the NFL.

While his time in the pros may be over, it didn't take long for Zimmer to find his way back onto a gridiron. His visit to Colorado may be a one-off due to his ties with Sanders and others, but those relationships could also be key for a possible hiring.

Zimmer's connection to Boulder runs thicker than water, too. His nephew, Andrew Zimmer, graduated from the University of Colorado in 2010 and has been with the Buffaloes as an offensive assistant since 2022.

Coach Prime's staff has had a succinct mission in preparing its pupils for the next level, and Zimmer would provide nearly three decades worth of wisdom and guidance for a Colorado team blistering ahead to 2025.