Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's second interview set for Tuesday

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will be in Minnesota on Tuesday to conduct his second interview, according to The Star Tribune. Along with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, Zimmer will meet with Vikings ownership, including Zygi Wilf.

Zimmer is reportedly a leading candidate for the vacant head coaching position among a group of finalists that includes Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and a mystery candidate that's believed to be Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

The Vikings have interviewed seven coaches so far, including San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who interviewed with Spielman on Saturday. As of this posting, Zimmer is the only confirmed candidate set to have a second interview.

There were erroneous reports on Monday that Zimmer would become the Vikings head coach. While all the tea leaves tend to point to that possibility, Zimmer wasn't in Minnesota Monday morning (when those reports surfaced) nor was his agent negotiating a contract.

Zimmer was also a candidate for the Tennessee Titans vacancy, but reports surfaced Monday evening that Ken Whisenhunt has been named the head coach. If the Vikings select someone other than Zimmer, then we can finally close the file regarding Zimmer's head coaching opportunities for another year.

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer, who hired Zimmer in 1994 to be their defensive backs coach, vouches for his head coaching candidacy.

"He has all those attributes (to be a head coach)," said Switzer via TwinCities.com. "He's aggressive. He wasn't bashful or shy with his convictions about what he believed in and he had the ability and the talent to sell it, and in most cases he was right.

"I saw it every day, on the field and in staff meetings. He was totally immersed in football from the beginning and was recognized right away as a top defensive coach ... He had great knowledge and background. Immediately, you knew this guy was a football coach."