Can this old-school coach who demands his way be the Dallas Cowboys’ savior?
Mike Zimmer does not view himself as a savior. Perhaps the prodigal son going home will save the family. But there is no other way to look at it after an offseason in which the Dallas Cowboys did almost nothing to enhance the roster, signing only one guaranteed starter in linebacker Eric Kendricks in free agency, and headed into a season in which the franchise’s future hangs in the balance.
Coach Mike McCarthy is in the final year of his contract and is expected to lead the team deep into the playoffs to keep his job. Quarterback Dak Prescott, coming off the best season of his career, faces the challenge of establishing himself in the postseason in order to secure a contract extension. The appointment of Zimmer as defensive coordinator in place of the departing Dan Quinn is expected to make the most difference on a club that concluded a third consecutive 12-5 season with an unforgivable no-show effort in the playoffs.
Zimmer was an assistant coach in Dallas from 1994 to 2006, with the last seven seasons as defensive coordinator. He exudes the presence of a hard-nosed, dog-cussing disciplinarian, as well as a much-needed strategy centered on stopping the run, fundamentals, and accountability.
“I think, first of all, his whole life is football,” stated owner Jerry Jones. “You say, ‘With Dan, it’s also football.'” I would have to go with personality. Both are exceptional individuals and instructors, and both have had their asses kicked professionally and survived to tell the tale. Who would you prefer to be in a foxhole with? They both do. They do it in a different way… Boy, he talks straight.”
Jones believes that a Cowboys club that continues to fail in the most important moments of the postseason, as well as a franchise entering its 29th season since its last Super Bowl appearance, require Zimmer’s no-nonsense approach. “I think we all need it,” Jones stated. According to all accounts, Quinn was a success in Dallas before being hired as coach of the Washington Commanders.
The Cowboys had a top-five defense in 2023, placing fifth in yards and fifth in points allowed. They also led the NFL in quarterback pressure rate (41.4%), interceptions (59), takeaways (93) and defensive touchdowns (15) during his tenure in Dallas from 2021 to 2023. However, Quinn’s unit struggled to stop the run and was exposed in the Cowboys’ 48-32 wildcard loss to the Green Bay Packers, when they were unable to stop a nose bleed.
Quarterback Jordan Love completed 16 of 21 throws for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Aaron Jones shredded the Cowboys defense on 21 carries for 118 yards and three touchdowns. “It’s like I told the defense the first day I got here,” Zimmer stated. “This is a different thing for me. Usually, when I come in, the defense is weak. And they’re really good. We need to progress some of the things they were doing well while also working to improve the things they weren’t doing so well.
“For the most part, they’ve played very well, and we’re going to attempt to capitalize on that by being a little more technique-oriented and disciplined. At the end of the day, we need to do it the way I want. I’ve seen what happens when you try to do someone else’s job. And the focus will be on stopping the run first.
“He’s looking to play more on first and second downs with three linebackers,” vice president Stephen Jones said. “That is a change. In general, I know he’s quite concerned with halting the run. Not to say Dan Quinn didn’t. Everyone wants to stop running. But, you know, in terms of prioritizing and doing things that would allow you to reach your goals as a defensive unit.”
The effort on stopping the run begins at the front. Coaches will instruct their defensive linemen to hold up blockers rather than rush to the quarterback, in striking contrast to Quinn’s strategy. It should help 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith get unstuck following a dismal rookie season in which he recorded only 13 tackles, made three starts, and lost more than 30 pounds attempting to accomplish something that didn’t match his abilities.
“Obviously, he was a high draft pick,” Zimmer explained. “I heard that he kind of struggled last year, so we’re going to start with the basics: Get him in a good stance, get him using his hands the right way, getting his footwork the right way and then go from there.” Most importantly, Zimmer will stress fundamentals and accountability. The defense may not generate as many turnovers as it did under Quinn. But it’ll be essentially sound.
“Obviously, the smart players always are the better players,” Zimmer stated. “I always say, ‘Do your job so someone else can succeed at theirs.'” You could have to sit there and face a double team. It’s not fun, but you’re doing it so the opposing player can make the tackle. These are the kinds of things we emphasize. Playing good team defense and, of course, being extremely good on third down, stopping the run, and being effective in the red zone.
“When they get out there on the field, they know what they’re doing and they go out and make plays without risking leaving someone else in a bad spot.” Penalties and poor play will not be tolerated. “I don’t like mistakes, no, but these guys have been good so far,” Zimmer stated. “There are various approaches to this. You can holler at them, wrap your arm around them, pat them on the buttocks, or whatever. Each guy will be a little different. “We’ll just see how things go.”
Zimmer will continue to be the old school Zimmer. And there will be hell to pay during games, as he will be on the sidelines rather than in the booth. “Well, I’ve always been on the sideline, No. 1,” Zimmer remarked. “No. 2, I want to catch them when they get off so I can speak with them. If any changes need to be made, I want to be able to sit down with them and do so. A lot of times, I warn them, “If you mess up, go on the other end and don’t come by me.”