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Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

New Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer dismisses the viral ‘Jerk’ label assigned to him

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Sumedh Joshi | Last updated 2/15/24

The Dallas Cowboys lost a key part of their coaching squad with the departure of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. His replacement Mike Zimmer has a reputation for being an old-school football coach who is a disciplinarian with all of his players. It is not uncommon to hear instances wherein Zimmer has been called a ‘jerk’. But most of the players coached by him understand and see through that rough exterior.

Despite his stern attitude, Zimmer wants to extract the best out of his athletes. The Cowboys officially introduced him yesterday and one of the first things that the DC addressed was the buzz regarding his gruff personality. Here’s what he had to say:

There's a reputation out there that I'm a jerk or something like that. It is what it is, I guess. But you know, since it announced I was going to be here. I've heard from so many players that played for me. Players here, not just defensive backs, the linebackers and defensive linemen have texted me and said how happy they were for me. Mike Zimmer said at the press conference

Mike Zimmer acknowledged the notion that exists regarding his style of coaching. However, he did not intend to just toot his own horn by bringing up the fact that his phone has been buzzing from congratulatory calls and texts from his former players. He was trying to point out the fact that if players are reaching out to him, maybe his style of coaching was not that bad after all.

Mike Zimmer aims to take the Dallas Cowboys defense a step higher

Out of the many players that reached out to him, former Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith who played for him for 7 years described Zimmer as “an acquired taste.” Darren Woodson played for Zimmer from 1994-2003 and believes that players ought to get used to his style of coaching and his personality. But the man himself disputes that belief.

The defensive coordinator stated:

The ones who want to be great, they want to be coached. There a lot more social media. There's a lot more of the outside stuff going on. The ones I have been around, the young guys, the ones that want to be great, they want to be coached. They want to study.. Mike Zimmer said

Zimmer is sure of one thing, the players who want to achieve greatness and improve, will have no objection to his coaching approach.

He cited the example of Xavier Rhodes, the former cornerback for the Vikings. Due to his coaching style, the player went on to make three Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro once. Speaking about the same, Zimmer said:

I was on his rear end every day about being disciplined, getting the right footwork, all this stuff. He became a terrific player... Mike Zimmer added

Rhodes is grateful for Zimmer and his tough approach because that is what led him to push himself. The Cowboys desperately need a personality such as Mike Zimmer, he will prepare them mentally and physically to keep their cool when things begin to go south.

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