GOOD NEWS BENGAL FANS ,ZIMMER STAYS A BENGAL
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:02 am
Mike Zimmer confirmed Tuesday in a text message he is returning to the Bengals as defensive coordinator and the Bengals made it official later in the day.
Zimmer wouldn't elaboate but it is believed the deal was offered before he left for Dallas on Monday to rejoin his family as well as check up on son Adam's trip to the NFC playoffs as the Saints assistant linebackers coach.
It turns out to be the Bengals' first strike in free agency, less than 72 hours after the Wild Card loss to the Jets, and it may end up to be their biggest heading into 2010. In two years Zimmer has taken the Bengals from 27th in the NFL to fourth with a unit that fueled this past season's six-game sweep of the AFC North in which the Bengals allowed just seven offensive touchdowns.
“I love working with Marvin,†Zimmer said in a news release. “He’s a great coach who does a terrific job, and he has been like family to me through all the ordeal our family has gone through. And I really respect the group of players we have. They have worked exceptionally hard, and I know they join me in knowing we have to keep improving as we move forward. “
Zimmer's story became a main thread of the Bengals' improbable 10-6 run. Less than 72 hours before the Bengals played in Baltimore, his wife Vikiki died suddenly on Oct. 8. Zimmer decided to coach with his three children and father in the stands, and the Bengals responded with a last-minute 17-14 victory in which they held the NFL's third-ranked offense to one touchdown.
"I don't think anybody could have handled it any better," said Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who has known Zimmer for 30 years. "He had to become both a father and a mother to his kids."
Zimmer wouldn't elaboate but it is believed the deal was offered before he left for Dallas on Monday to rejoin his family as well as check up on son Adam's trip to the NFC playoffs as the Saints assistant linebackers coach.
It turns out to be the Bengals' first strike in free agency, less than 72 hours after the Wild Card loss to the Jets, and it may end up to be their biggest heading into 2010. In two years Zimmer has taken the Bengals from 27th in the NFL to fourth with a unit that fueled this past season's six-game sweep of the AFC North in which the Bengals allowed just seven offensive touchdowns.
“I love working with Marvin,†Zimmer said in a news release. “He’s a great coach who does a terrific job, and he has been like family to me through all the ordeal our family has gone through. And I really respect the group of players we have. They have worked exceptionally hard, and I know they join me in knowing we have to keep improving as we move forward. “
Zimmer's story became a main thread of the Bengals' improbable 10-6 run. Less than 72 hours before the Bengals played in Baltimore, his wife Vikiki died suddenly on Oct. 8. Zimmer decided to coach with his three children and father in the stands, and the Bengals responded with a last-minute 17-14 victory in which they held the NFL's third-ranked offense to one touchdown.
"I don't think anybody could have handled it any better," said Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who has known Zimmer for 30 years. "He had to become both a father and a mother to his kids."
