Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer held his first presser as the new man calling plays on Wednesday afternoon.
It was like a breath of fresh air listening to Zimmer talk about wanting to get the best out of his players and how he would go about doing so.
Talk is cheap though nowadays, but he the tone in his voice just sounds better than most who get hired by Dallas.
Biggest Takeaways
As standard, the press conference lasted about 45 minutes.
The first thing that jumped off the screen for me was regardless of how great of a player might be, they are nothing unless they can be coached!
In addition, one of the first questions that was answered during the presser was whether or not Al Harris would return to the defensive coaching staff.
Mike Zimmer says he will be retaining Al Harris on the Cowboys defensive coaching staff, as expected:
"I'm excited to work with him and I've heard about all of the great work he does."#DallasCowboys
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) February 14, 2024
Zimmer made it very clear that he indeed would return. As it makes sense because he is under contract, anyway.
“I'm excited to work with him and I've heard about all of the great work he does.”
Mike Zimmer on his coaching style:
“I'm demanding. I try to get the best out of players.”
Goes on to note he understands fully how to identify individual learning styles and personalities, and then “hit the button” to make them better.
We spoke about this very thing at…
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) February 14, 2024
Music to my ears, this Cowboys team has no edge or discipline. The players need to do more playing and less talking.
Miach Parsons is a Hall of Fame talent, but man, stop talking all the time and keep mastering your craft.
I enjoyed having Dan Quinn just as much as the next guy, but man this team seemed to be more interested in making splash plays against bad teams, then showing up against good teams.
“The ones that wanna be great, they wanna be coached.”
— Mike Zimmer on his approach to coaching players
FYI: He's coached a list of legendary and notable #Cowboys players, so there's no grain of salt to take with that.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) February 14, 2024
Zimmer said Mike McCarthy shared ideas on where the defense can improve, and I LOVED the response from Zimmer.
He said he has some ideas of his own, “At the end of the day, honestly, it's about what the players can do.… ideas are great and all of that. But what can they do?”
Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer said Mike McCarthy has shared ideas on where the defense can improve. Zimmer has, of course, some of his own. Zimmer: “At the end of the day, honestly, it's about what the players can do. …Ideas are great and all of that. But what can they do?” pic.twitter.com/bebSBGnYOq
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 14, 2024
Won't Be Pushed Around
Zimmer said all the right things yesterday. He said something that I liked.
He noted that he has a reputation for being a “jerk.”
“There is a reputation out there that I'm a jerk,” he said, but then pointing out the large number of players who've reached out to congratulate him on this move. “I don't think I'd hear from all of them if I was such a jerk.”
You can watch the entire press conference here.
For me, it is always easier to listen to a full interview than trying to read someone else give me their options.
Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer said he has a reputation for being a jerk. But since being hired in Dallas, many former players have reached out, congratulating him, wishing him well. “I think if I was such a jerk, I wouldn't be hearing from those guys.” pic.twitter.com/vkRTqDmnP1
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) February 14, 2024
Background Of Zimmer
He was a Cowboys assistant coach from 1994-2006.
Zimmer was once the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, from 2000 to 2006, under head coaches Dave Campo and Bill Parcells.
He was the head coach of the Vikings from 2014-21. Leading them to three playoff appearances going 72-56-1.
Darren Woodson on Mike Zimmer
Exactly what's the Cowboys defense is missing. pic.twitter.com/Ik8eLCvubh
— MartinTalkCowboys (@DAK_4_MVP) February 8, 2024
Zimmer is known for running aggressive, versatile 4-3 defenses that give offenses a lot to think about both before and after the snap, but is great at keeping teams out of the end zone.
This team needs a gut check. I see them talking more on podcasts and on social media than I see them getting extra work in!
