In first public appearance as new Vikings coach, Zimmer eyes Super Bowl
In his introduction as Vikings' head coach Friday at a press conference, Mike Zimmer said he can't wait to help the team win the Super bowl.
Zimmer spoke at Winter Park at the first press conference as Vikings coach. Team leaders announced Wednesday on Twitter that they picked Zimmer.
"I feel like I was destined to do this," Zimmer said at Friday morning's press conference. He said he's confident he'll help the Vikings win a Super Bowl. "That is my goal, and that is my drive."
• NewsCut: To be blunt, Zimmer can shake up this town
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Zimmer replaces Leslie Frazier, who was fired after the 54-year-old team went 5-10-1 and missed the playoffs. Zimmer, 57, is the ninth head coach in the team's franchise history.
He was chosen from at least seven candidates interviewed by general manager Rick Spielman.
Spielman, calling Zimmer "the right guy" for the Vikings, said there was "something different" about Zimmer from others he interviewed. "The thing that stuck out to us the most was not only the passion, but the football intelligence and leadership," Spielman said at the conference.
Zimmer spent the past six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, and previously worked for the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys. He's been an NFL defensive coordinator for the last 14 seasons, and has 20 years of experience as an NFL assistant.
In his 20 NFL seasons, Zimmer has made 11 playoff appearances, and won a Super Bowl.
"He has a great history of developing young talent, of taking veterans and having them play beyond their ability," Spielman said.
Zimmer said the thing about being a coach is that, first, you are a teacher, not only about football techniques, but about life, and becoming better citizens, fathers and spouses.
He describes himself as honest, sincere, and passionate. "All I want to do is make each player better," he said. "Obviously, on the field, I'm going to be a fiery kind of guy when I feel that I need to."
He said he doesn't pre-judge a player watching them on video, but will get to know each one individually. Although he comes from a defensive coordinator background, he will first and foremost act as a head coach. But defensive work "is always going to be part of my little baby, because it's who I am and part of what got me here," Zimmer said.
Zimmer said he will start fitting players and search for the best quarterback for the team.
"My job is to win football games, not to worry about whether our quarterback is fourth best or first best," he said.
He will also begin evaluating coaches, but no timeline has been set for that. He will look for coaches who are great teachers, leaders, motivators and have great football technique, he said.
"I want people to know, when you play the Minnesota Vikings, you're going to have a full days' work ahead of you," Zimmer said.
He calls himself an observer and fixer on the field.
"People think I go out and chew people's butts -- that's not true," he said. "I'm going to fix stuff. That's kind of what my personality is."
One of his strengths is working with players that have something to prove, he said -- ones that people say can't play anymore or are not smart enough to play. People have said that about him before, he said, so he has a special bond with players in similar shoes.
He cited a quote from Vince Lombardi: "Once you have won his heart, he will follow you anywhere."
"That's what I want to do -- I want to get these players' hearts and have them follow me," Zimmer said.