Darren Woodson on Mike Zimmer in Dallas: 'It's not going to be cuddly and kumbaya'
The Dallas Cowboys‘ reunion with former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has former players and coaches buzzing about the new hire. Zimmer, who coached for Dallas from 1994-2006, left an impression that is hard to get. Former Super Bowl winner Darren Woodson spoke to ESPN’s Todd Archer about the new defensive coordinator’s coaching style, saying, “It’s not going to be cuddly,” in DFW.
“He doesn’t have any ‘back up’ in him,” Woodson said on Monday after the hire became official. “He’s going to set his feet. He will fight your ass tooth and nail, a lot like Bill Parcells. You’re going to do it his way. He might not be your best friend. It’s not going to be cuddly and kumbaya. That’s not happening. He’s going to test your mettle.”
The Dallas Cowboys have a fully loaded defense that most fans will expect to at least pace the productivity they found under Dan Quinn. Woodson has advice to the players currently on the roster about how to get the most out of their time with Zimmer. According to the former safety, the coordinator isn’t afraid to rail on even the team’s best player for mistakes.
“I would say, ‘Man, give him time,'” Woodson said. “He’s going to be callous when he comes in. Don’t be sensitive. The guy wants to win. He wants to win at all costs. He’s the most competitive sumb**** I’ve ever met. Give him time and you’ll get it. You’ll understand.
“You’re going to have to be ready. And you’re going to bite him too. He’s looking for the fight too. Don’t back down because he’s OK with it. But just have some thick skin.”
Bill Parcells: ‘He’s himself’
Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells also offered up his take on his former assistant. The duo worked together for four seasons before the elder coach’s retirement in 2007.
“He’s a coach’s son, and I always liked that because they lived it at the dinner table when they were young,” Parcells told ESPN. “[Bill] Belichick was the same way. That’s the kind of guys they were. But I got to like Mike and we’ve become good friends.”
Bill Belichick comparisons are always good to hear when discussing NFL coaches. According to Parcells, Zimmer can be just as blunt as the former New England head coach, but he gets results.
“He’s himself,” Parcells said. “That’s what he does. That’s what people that get along with players are. They don’t say you have to get along, but players respect people who are straight-forward, to the point and trying to help them get better. He’s the best with them. And the ones that don’t like the truth are probably going to have a problem.”
Cowboys agree to deal with Zimmer following long negotiations
Former Cowboys defender and current ESPN analyst Marcus Spears echoed the sentiments Woodson and Parcells shared. Spears played under Zimmer for two seasons.
He’s a great man and he’s a phenomenal football coach,” Spears said. “Tough but fair and he cares about his guys. It was great to play for Zim even when he cursed me out.”
Zimmer, 67, and the Cowboys officially agreed to terms on a deal Monday, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero previously reported last week that Dallas was expected to hire Zimmer but negotiations continued through the Super Bowl weekend. He is serving as Mike McCarthy’s third defensive coordinator in five seasons.