National Football League

Mike Zimmer is the only man for the job in Minnesota

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Through a number of disastrous injuries, Mike Zimmer has managed to keep the Minnesota Vikings on track. There may be no one better suited for what’s ahead.

Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson, Matt Kalil. It would be a massive understatement to say that the Minnesota Vikings have been plagued by injuries to start the season. With injuries knocking out arguably the three most important offensive positions— quarterback, running back, and left tackle— for much of the year and afflicting various other spots of the roster, many fan bases would give up hope and dream of better days ahead.

For the Vikings, no matter how insurmountable injuries might seem, head coach Mike Zimmer stands as a bright beacon of hope. The hard-nosed, foul-mouthed, old-school coach stands as the picture of toughness and resilience.

Immediately after Teddy Bridgewater went down with a gruesome dislocated knee, Zimmer’s moving speech to the gathered media shined light on just the kind of person he is. (via Vikings.com)

“Hey, my wife passed away seven years ago, right? It was a tough day, the sun came up the next day, the world kept spinning. People kept going to work. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Zimmer’s tenacity shows in all aspects of his life. In 2009, he fought through the unexpected passing of his wife, going on to coach the Bengals to a 17-14 victory over the Ravens only three days later.

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Just last year Zimmer’s father, Bill, passed away during training camp at the age of 84. After heading down to Florida briefly to mourn the loss of his father, Zimmer returned to the team and coached one of the most successful seasons in recent memory.

Compared to the immense hardships that Zimmer has already faced in his life, managing a football team is nothing. Zimmer is there on a personal level to comfort and support players like Teddy Bridgewater as they fight through their injuries, but he also has the perspective to realize that life goes on, both for the individuals and the team.

Zimmer isn’t content to sit back and whine about his bad luck, and that attitude is something that he projects onto his team. After yet another major injury, this time to Matt Kalil, Zimmer made his expectations for the team clear. (via Vikings.com)

“This team to me is a team that is resilient, tough and competitive. Obviously we’ve had a few setbacks. I think if you go back last year and look at the things that happened you know we’re not the type of team that’s going to sit back and cry about what’s happening. We’re going to go forward and try to find a way.”

The same philosophy that Zimmer has practiced throughout his life— as he fought through the losses of his wife and father, as he toiled as a defensive assistant for 20 years, and as he’s addressed any issues that have come up for the Minnesota Vikings— he preaches to his team.

It’s early, but so far his methods have been working. After a disappointing first half against the Tennessee Titans, the Vikings rebounded to score 25 straight points and win the game, lead by a fiery defensive intensity.

A week later, the Vikings edged out the win over the division rival Green Bay Packers, this time pairing their stifling defense with an explosive offense.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) acknowledges the fans against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

There are fourteen more regular season games, and the injuries continue to pile up, but this has not looked like a team that feels sorry for itself. Not at all. Every knew obstacle that the Vikings face is being met confidently as a team, guided by Zimmer’s leadership.

Many are predicting that what the Vikings have accomplished thus far is unsustainable, and that the losses the team has faced are simply too much to rebound from, but they shouldn’t be so quick to count out a Zimmer-lead team.

After this season, Mike Zimmer should be nationally renowned, finally getting the respect that the Minnesota Vikings fans know he deserves.

Zimmer has never been one to care for individual awards. His team-before-everything mentality is a big part of why he’s so uniquely suited to handle anything the job throws at him. But while he might not seek individual glory, if he keeps this up he might end up with a “Coach of the Year” trophy adorning his mantle when all is said and done.

Because no matter what happens, Mike Zimmer is not going to give up, is not going to hang his head, and certainly is not going to let the Minnesota Vikings do so.

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