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Zimmer could be intriguing for Bucs

Posted Jan 9, 2012 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Jan 9, 2012 at 12:18 PM

BY IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—In the early days of their ownership tenure, the Glazers reached out to a defensive assistant who lacked experience as an NFL head coach.

And even though Tony Dungy couldn’t win a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in his six seasons, he forged a winning culture before going on to Indianapolis and eventually hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Dungy wasn’t the first choice of the Glazers in 1996, but he turned out to be a savvy choice. And now, with the Bucs seeking a successor to Raheem Morris, there’s another long-time defensive assistant waiting for his opportunity on the sidelines.

Mike Zimmer, 55, has a similar pedigree to Dungy. Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator has experience working with a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment and he helped the Bengals reach the playoffs this season, despite fielding six new opening-day starters on defense.

The Bengals ranked No. 7 defensively, despite losing their best cornerback, Johnathan Joseph, to Houston in free agency. In his four years in Cincinnati, Zimmer’s defensive units have ranked 12th, fourth, 15th and seventh.

In 2003, Zimmer guided the league’s top-ranked defense in Dallas and he has also served as defensive coordinator of the Falcons.

Zimmer is well respected throughout the league and his mental toughness can’t be questioned. In 2009, Zimmer won the George S. Halas Award for an individual who has overcome the most adversity.

That October, Zimmer accompanied the Bengals to Baltimore only a few days after discovering the lifeless body of his 50-year-old wife, Vikki, at their home.

After Cincinnati’s 17-14 triumph, head coach Marvin Lewis presented Zimmer with the game ball and he delivered a brief, emotional message that brought players and fellow coaches to tears.

If the Bucs are looking only for candidates with previous head coaching experience in the NFL, Zimmer doesn’t fit the profile. Right now, with the Bengals eliminated, Zimmer is waiting for the opportunity of a lifetime.