Finding a great coaching staff can be the difference between being a good team and a bad team. Last season, the Minnesota Vikings had Coach of the Year Kevin O'Connell lead them to 14 wins and the playoffs, proving how important coaching can be.
At the University of Colorado, head coach Deion Sanders is looking to add assistants to his staff. Pro Football Talk recently shared that his wish list includes former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich and a former Minnesota head coach.
Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer seems to be a coaching target for Deion Sanders in Colorado
At one time, Mike Zimmer was a beloved coach for the Minnesota Vikings. His no-nonsense approach to coaching combined with an old-school mentality. He seemed to be a cornerback whisperer during his time with the purple and gold, but his relationship (or lack thereof) with general manager Rick Spielman was a ticking time bomb.
After his exit from Minnesota, Zimmer took some time for himself before joining the Dallas Cowboys for the 2024 NFL season. His time there is something he would likely want to forget since they were outscored by 118 points on the season and gave up over 40 points three times on their way to a 7-10 record.
Despite his struggle with Dallas' defense last season, Coach Prime is vocal about wanting the 69-year-old coach on his staff at Colorado.
“Our coaching staff, this is without Byron Leftwich, which I’m praying that he does the right thing, and Mike Zimmer, we have 160 years of NFL experience. With those two added, that’s 204 years of NFL experience. And I want those years.”
Although it was rumored that Mike Zimmer would retire from coaching this offseason, that hasn't officially happened. Perhaps this is a sign that there is still some fire in his heart to continue coaching, and he might be interested in joining Sanders.
Deion Sanders' work in Colorado has elevated that school into a high-profile program where there will be many eyes on the team. Making sure to have a talented, experienced staff there to guide the program would be a smart move. If that means adding former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer to the mix, then that is exactly what Coach Prime should continue to push for on his Colorado staff to give them the best chance to be a great unit during the upcoming season.