As we have discussed previously, Mike Zimmer is a very good coach. He has turned the Bengals defense into a tough, hard-hitting, smart squad that has been the basis for the Bengals turnaround this season. His contract is up after this season. After the family tragedy that Zimmer has suffered this year, he could very well want to move closer to family or take some time off altogether. But let's assume that Zimmer's top goal is to become a head coach, and if that is not possible, to take the most lucrative contract to remain a D coordinator.
As PFT points out, Zimmer's name has not been popping up for head coaching jobs. Perhaps this is because the media keeps focusing on more well known former coaches (Cowher, Shanahan, Gruden), but with Zimmer's stock sky high, he is sure to get offers from other teams to become their D Coordinators if head coaching jobs don't open.
If Zimmer has the desire and gets an offer to become a HC, there is not much the Bengals can do to to keep him in the Queen City. But it would be idiotic to let Zimmer sign with another team as their D coordinator.
The same PFT article links to a Bengals.com article where Zimmer told Hob that he has had negotiations with the Bengals in November, but "nothing came to fruition." And now Zimmer is getting interest from other teams to be D Coordinator.
The Bengals need to make sure that a higher offer doesn't cause Zimmer to leave town.
Unlike player salaries, coaching salaries are not covered by the revenue sharing or salary cap restrictions, which is why big spenders like the Cowboys and Redskins always have the highest paid coaching staff.
If Mike Brown and the Bengals want to make sure that this winning season is repeated, it's time to open up your wallet. Keep Zimmer.
A very small but consistent crowd at Sundays game was booing whenever a tackle was made by the Chiefs Mike Brown.Perhaps something to put into the Project Mayhem idea box for the future
Posted by: John | December 29, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I was part of that small crowd. It was hilarious. Mike Brown had 8 solo tackles, (13 total), so he was doing everything he could to impede the Bengals' success on offense.
Posted by: ChapelHillWHODEY | December 29, 2009 at 12:57 PM
"As we have discussed previously, Mike Zimmer is a very good head coach." Hmmmmmm I didn't know that Zimmer WAS a head coach. I always thought that he was the Coach of the Defense? Now, if speaking euphamistically, I could understand but there is nothing to indicate that. If it is your desire that he become the head coach of a team, that's your opinion (and I kind of think that I agree with the possibility of him getting his chance). If you just messed up on your verbage...
Posted by: wch | December 29, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Fat Chance
No Dice
Close (or not) but no Cigar
No Way Jose
Not a chance in hell the Brownburns pay Zim what he's worth, if they were going to, they would have already, enjoy him and his D now, because these are the last shows folks. Next year? Perhaps Mikey will look towards Kevin Coyle, or Jay Hayes, or Jeff Fitzgerald (who would be the most palatable replacement from in house if you ask me).
Posted by: CurseofBoJackson | December 29, 2009 at 02:25 PM
What about moving Marvin to GM and giving Zimmer the head coaching job. Not to get rid of Marvin, but it could be a best case scenario for keeping both of them around with Zimmer's contract done this year and Marvin's next.
Posted by: dnh | December 29, 2009 at 02:46 PM
They need to resign him now...Okay you don't want to give us a Indoor practice facility or a General manager but DO NOT LET ZIMMER WALK...
Pay him as a top Defensive Coordinator like he should be and put in his contract that hes the Bengals next HC if Marvin ever leaves.
Posted by: Deybay | December 29, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Pay him as a top Defensive Coordinator like he should be and put in his contract that hes the Bengals next HC if Marvin ever leaves.
Posted by: deybay | December 29, 2009 at 07:38 PM
I like ML as GM and MZ as HC. However, if that was to happen, I think I would likely drop dead from shock.
Posted by: guttersnake | December 29, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Won't happen. Zimmer, in my mind, is already out the door, which stinks because his revamp of the D is probably responsible for about 80% of our success this year .
Posted by: Danno | December 30, 2009 at 10:25 AM
@guttersnake: Problem with ML as GM is we don't really know if he's any good at drafting. Thanks to being shut out of the Pro Bowl yet again, the Bengals have gone SIX YEARS since they last drafted a Pro Bowl player. That is the longest draught in franchise history! Even longer than any of the Shula days! You want a GM who is a great judge of talent. In my mind, if ML is responsible for some of the picks since 2003, then he's not a great judge of talent.
Posted by: FeedMikeBrownToAquaBengal | December 30, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Hire Mike Zimmer as head coach!! I like like Zimmer and they way he isn't ever happy because they haven't played a perfect game. He's always proud of the guys, but is pissed that the Cheifs scored a touchdown for example. You listen to Marvin Lewis's press conferences and its the same thing week after week! "You know our guys played well, we got a couple things to work on (which I think he just says that to make people happy, doesn't seem like anything ever gets fixed on offense. but that might be more of a play calling problem).
Posted by: Ross | December 30, 2009 at 09:12 PM
I think we all feel the same way about Zimmer as HC. He seems like he'd do a better job than Marvin Lewis.
The team still desperately needs a real GM no matter who is HC.
Posted by: FeedMikeBrownToAquaBengal | December 31, 2009 at 01:37 AM
I wouldn't say ML is a bad judge of talent. We have had some solid draft choices especially #1 picks for defense. Most of the picks that didn't work out are because of the character and off field issues well documented in the past, but there were some good players in that group (Thurman). I would attribute taking chances on character issues to working within the budget constraints and oversight of the 'redeemer' MB. I would think ML would be a good gm for the bengals because of his good working relationship with MB. He is also very familiar with the franchise and how to work best within the obvious disadvantages. To move MZ to head coach and ML to gm would be a promotion for both and be the best for the franchise. Of course it will never happen because it would be two steps forward not back.
Posted by: dnh | January 02, 2010 at 08:04 PM
the skins think zimmer is theirs:
http://www.hogshaven.com/2010/1/5/1234633/three-reasons-why-i-feel-good
Posted by: carsoncarsoncarson | January 05, 2010 at 10:43 AM