LATEST NEWS: Cowboys and Mike Zimmer reach an agreement for Zimmer to take over as DC following Rex Ryan rumors

A league source informed UPI on Monday that the Dallas Cowboys have decided to appoint Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator, taking over for Dan Quinn, who departed the position to take up coaching duties with the Washington Commanders.

The previous season, Zimmer, now 67, was employed by Colorado as an analyst and consultant for head coach Deion Sanders. In 2022, he worked for Sanders at Jackson State in a similar capacity.

In his eight seasons as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2014 to 2021, Zimmer recorded a 72-56-1 record. Following the 2021 campaign, he was let go.

From 2000 to 2006, the seasoned NFL defensive coordinator was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. He served as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2008 to 2013 and the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator in 2007.

In 1994, Zimmer began working for the Cowboys as an assistant. From 1995 to 1999, he was the defensive backs coach for the Cowboys before being elevated to defensive coordinator.

Under Zimmer, the Vikings had three seasons with a Top 5 defense in terms of fewest yards allowed, including the top-ranked squad in 2017. Within four of Zimmer’s six seasons with the team, the Bengals finished in the top seven.

Under Zimmer, the Cowboys gave up the fewest yards allowed in the NFL in 2003. They came in 10th in 2005 and fourth in Zimmer’s second season in 2001.

In 2023–24, the Cowboys defense gave up the fewest yards in the NFL, ranking seventh. In 2021, Quinn’s first season in Dallas, they were ranked 19th. In 2022, they were placed 12th. In each of Quinn’s three seasons, the Cowboys defense finished in the top seven for the fewest points allowed.

Quinn was formally employed by the Commanders earlier this month.