Zimmer Interviewed in Miami; Considered "Top of the List"

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has been connected with a couple of head coaching vacancies around the NFL. The state of Florida seems to have its eyes on Zimmer as it has been reported that both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins are interested in Zimmer being their franchise's next head coach.

As we reported via the NFL Network, Zimmer was set to interview with the Dolphins on Monday. Apparently that interview is complete and it's made known that Zimmer is a candidate who "is at the top of the list".

The Dolphins team website reports this little tidbit and it really comes as no surprise. First, Zimmer has had a long NFL coaching career with quite a bit of success. In his three years coaching Cincinnati's defense, he's brought the unit to a No. 4 overall ranking (2009) and a No. 7 overall ranking (2011).

Also weighing heavily into the Dolphins' front office's decision on a new head coach is the fact that Zimmer has ties with General Manager Jeff Ireland. These two go back to Zimmer's coaching days back with the Dallas Cowboys in the early to mid-2000s.

Losing Zimmer to head coaching job would definitely hurt, but I think that most Bengals fans would be happy to see the ol' ballcoach get a shot as a head coach in the NFL--he's definitely deserved it. It's been assumed that the most probable replacements should Zimmer leave are former Jaguars head coach, Jack Del Rio and current Bengals secondary coach, Kevin Coyle.