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'Players Respect Him!' Bill Parcells On Cowboys Defensive Coach Mike Zimmer

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Timm Hamm | Last updated 2/15/24

The Dallas Cowboys were forced to search for a new defensive coordinator when Dan Quinn was hired by division rival Washington to fill their vacant head coaching position.

The search was short and sweet, and in the end, they went to a familiar name in Mike Zimmer. Zimmer was on the Dallas staff from 1994-2006, serving as the Cowboys defensive coordinator for his final seven seasons.

Former NFL head coach Bill Parcells - who worked with "Zim" in Dallas from 2003-2006 - had nothing but great things to say about the Cowboys' new/old defensive coordinator.

“He’s a coach’s son, and I always liked that because they lived it at the dinner table when they were young," Parcells told ESPN.

“[Bill] Belichick was the same way. That’s the kind of guys they were. But I got to like Mike and we’ve become good friends.”

Zimmer and Parcells worked together in Dallas despite having differing defensive philosophies. Zimmer oversaw a 4-3 defense while Parcells operated a 3-4 scheme.

After a couple of years together, after the personnel allowed it, Zimmer switched to Parcells' 3-4 and the team found continued success.

Parcells said he expects Zimmer to continue where he left off in Dallas defensively.

"He’s himself. That’s what he does. That’s what people who get along with players are. They don’t say you have to get along, but players respect people who are straightforward, to the point, and trying to help them get better," Parcells said.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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