Mike Zimmer goes off in Star Tribune interview

Matthew Coller breaks down Mike Zimmer's wildest and most interesting comments in his one-on-one with the Star Tribune

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[judyreifler]

It’s sad that Zimmer is so full of bitterness and resentment

[wideglide]

Fails as a HEAD COACH yet everyone else was the problem. Wont talk to the most important position on the field yet they are the issue. He was a very good DC was not a good HC.

[SparkyFinch]

I hate to go there but I think the full load of adversity and tragedy has not been processed and he's wearing his avoidance like a trophy

[mrmayortheiv]

If Zim stormed out after the first of 4 3rd round picks that year, he lost the right to complain about picks 2-4

[timoclark]

1) Zimmer had 5x CBs from Rds 1 and 2 and they were mostly below average. Flores' staff got more out of treads and rookies, and helped Metellus become a star S.
2) Zimmer is just like his hero Diaper Don, zero personal accountability.
3) Zimmer is big mad that Flores is thriving with less talent. I call bullsh!t on him not watching Vikings' games. Zimmer, like Tua, is acting like a child. I take that back, there are children who are less petty, with more maturity and self-awareness than these two.

[kevinfessler]

I always found it interesting that you had one of the better defensive minds as HC in your building and that after the 2015 draft Cam Bynum was the best defensive player your team drafted. It goes to show that being a good coach and tactician doesn't necessarily carry over to player evaluation as it pertains to projecting to the next level. I thought that after 2015, Rick was (mostly) a poor GM who found a few gems along the way. How much was Zim involved in pre-draft player evaluation? Anyone believe that Flores ISN"T involved? Anyone think the Vikings aren't bringing in better defensive players via the draft and UDFA's with Flores? I realize Flores has a scouting background, but Zim could have helped himself a lot more than he did, instead of having to resign 30+ year old vets to huge contracts because you have no one developing behind that player.

[cjdwolfpack]

If they fired Zimmer after 2019 they weren’t starting over at QB Stefanski would’ve just taken over and Cousins would’ve stayed.

[stephenwright]

Really glaring thing is the sheer toxicity of the environment. I'm sure Kwesi/O'connell don't agree on everything but can't imagine Kwesi going all in on a qb he knows the head coach doesn't want.

[Scoremore]

Boy wait til he plays Cousins this year. Talking about who let the dogs out.

[hunterwalthers]

Well, Mike. The year after you were fired, with basically the same roster (except older), they went 13-4.

[MajorMNMike]

We teach new lieutenants in the Army to understand “It’s not my fault but it’s my responsibility.” Enough said.

[emmynelson]

I always wondered what happened with him and Norv Turner. I remember at the time Zimmer was completely confused about why Turner just quit the night before a game. This shows some of how he can't work with people. Really sad.

[kevinfessler]

Zimmer is a man with obvious, and rather glaring, strengths and weaknesses. He was never going to leave TCO and give a statement thanking the Wilfs for the opportunity and mention the successes, albeit limited, he had as 8 years as the Vikings head coach. He's not a "take the high road" guy, but he's also completely genuine and almost incapable of lying. I think he wanted to be like his mentor (Parcells), but lacked his magnetism and leadership qualities. Then when the front office signed Kirk against his express wishes, he became bitter and it compromised him as a HC. Not talking to your QB or GM isn't acceptable. Zimmer's worst traits came to the fore, and you realized it wasn't going to work. It's fair to say he was always a DC masquerading as a HC.

[CharlesBaum-zm]

Exactly, he loved the idea that Zimmer actually said what he thought when asked a question. They ask the questions wanting the truth yet today the coaches just work around telling the reporter the truth in order to coddle the player.
The reporter suspects an issue, or they wouldn't have asked in the first place.
Then when they get the answer, they want they say Zimmer threw someone under the bus.

[CharlesBaum-zm]

Come on Matt. regarding Mond you say "he didn't do anything wrong, he just wasn't a good QB". They asked why Mond wasn't getting more playing time. He said because I see him every day in practice. OMG, honesty.

[rickmeisch]

The last three yrs. He was coaching you had a feeling he was just not caring for being coach. To get on the outs with his players was no doubt Zims fault and his interest seemed to be getting worse. He is lucky to be with Dallas now but that could be short with his true feelings about players known now.

[frankthetank]

Man i didn't like the Teddy 2 gloves era. Like yay we get to watch us score 7-10 points a game

[MyTwoCentsWorth]

Unfortunately, Matthew, for many of us Minnesota sports fans, football has already started. Our ever reliable Gophers laid an egg at home on Thursday evening against UNC. Please don't ask if place kicking had anything to do with the outcome. Now back to the Vikes... the one team that never lets us down!

[robertcentofanti]

First, I want to say I almost totally agree with Mr. Coller. And I know Zim gave everybody great ammunition to justify all the negative opinions of him.... That said, I still loved his style/philosophy of Defense-First with Heavy Run and conservative passing game/Game Managing QB... I like the surly attitude, defiance, stubbornness and nastiness. I love the tough coaching approach... I truly believe if Zim had been given more autonomy to build the team the way he envisioned, we could've had a lot more success. But to blame players like that, no good, and pointing fingers just looks petty. I'm disappointed he did that. However not surprised.

[JaredTG.]

Guy needs serious mental help. Amazing how he made it as far as he did with zero emotional maturity.