Mike Zimmer's Return Places DC Candidates With New Teams The Next Day

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 28, 2012 10:05 AM EST in Coaching News

When Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was being courted by the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there was a feeling that two of the team's candidates to replace Zimmer were defensive backs coach Mike Coyle and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio. By the time Greg Schiano was announced as Tampa Bay's newest head coach, Zimmer was assured a return with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012 in the same capacity he's worked since 2008.

What's interesting isn't so much Zimmer's return -- save for an unexpected turn, we had expected it for well over a week. It's what happened afterwards.

Reports surfaced on Thursday that not only was Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano the second finalist for the head coaching job in Tampa Bay, he was negotiating with the team on a contract agreement. The five-year deal became official Thursday afternoon. The result of the agreement meant Zimmer was returning for the final year on a three-year deal he signed in 2010.

It also meant that the Bengals didn't need candidates to replace him. Defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle, who was in Miami the day that Schiano signed with Tampa Bay, finally agreed to terms to become Miami's defensive coordinator Friday morning. Several hours later Adam Schefter reported that Del Rio signed with the Broncos to become Denver's newest defensive coordinator.

After Schiano signed with the Buccaneers, ensuring Zimmer's return, it's not surprising that Coyle and Del Rio signed with their respective teams the next day. Mostly because they were the candidates to become Cincinnati's newest defensive coordinator.

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well

it’s nice to know Del Rio was waiting on Zimmer, hopefully it’s a sign that the Bengals are perceived differently now.

personally

I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach and hiring Jack Del Rio as Defensive Coordinator. Who Dey!!!

by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs

by joeb69 on Jan 28, 2012 10:38 AM EST reply actions

I think the league recognizes our future and wants to be a part of it

I love it….I have said this a hundred times already….think about our football mental state last year around this time….wow things have changed

"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"

by ticalcaldwell on Jan 28, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

could be marvin and del rio respect each other

they did work together for 5 years or so in baltimore.

hopefully this means, if we lose zimmer some year, marvin can get del rio in here as an assistant head coach + defensive coordinator.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 28, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

at the same time..I think this is a make or break year for the Marvin regime….His contract hasnt been extended and he is in the final year of his deal….I just think that Mikey is giving Marvin a chance to do something great now that we know the potential that we have….but who knows…they could announce a 5 year deal today….

"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"

by ticalcaldwell on Jan 28, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions

Zimmers contract hasn't either

So maybe he will be in lone for our next HC and Marv moves to the front office.

AJ Green = Optimus Prime

by Helmsy on Jan 28, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

That would be something phenomenal!

Having Marvin Lewis as a GM and Zimmer as the HC would be awesome. I still have faith in Lewis and I would love to see Zimmer in the lead role.

Loyalty does play a factor in Mike Brown’s gameplan and this would be our BEST chance of actually having a GM. Having a REAL GM would open the door for future GM’s and put an end to Mike Brown’s cheap ass ways.

One can dream.

by Bengal Bruce on Jan 28, 2012 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Greg Cook Arm vs Andy Dalton Arm

Just a guess. Maybe Greg Cook had a better Arm. Expand?!

by Chili Dog on Jan 28, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

Agree here, if Marvin has another 4-12 season to follow up a playoff berth.......

at least we should be covered by being able to bump up Zim to HC. Hopefully we have another playoff year next year and Marvin finally moves into the front office, making way for Zim. Would be nice to go into that situation on a positive note and not because we failed miserably next year.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche