Another NFL head coaching vacancy has been filled, bringing the list of open positions down to just one (Cleveland Browns).
The Minnesota Vikings finally concluded their search Wednesday, hiring Mike Zimmer as their next head coach, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Zimmer will replace Leslie Frazier, who was fired by the Vikings shortly after a disappointing 5-10-1 season in 2013.
Zimmer, 53, spent the last five seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator. He helped orchestrate one of the NFL’s best defenses during his time in Cincy, finishing in the top 10 three times during his tenure.
Zimmer was a popular head coaching candidate last offseason as well, interviewing with the Cleveland Browns before they ultimately hired Rob Chudzinski. He also interviewed with the Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins this year before accepting the Vikings’ job.
The Bengals made the playoffs in four of the five seasons Zimmer led the defense. They also finished third in the NFL in yards allowed (305.5 per game) and fifth in points against (19.1 per game).
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