Zimmer’s four winning seasons are tied with Jerry Burns for third place by Vikings coach and follower Bud Grant (12) and Dennis Green (eight). His 57 wins are third in the team’s history, behind Grant (158) and Green (97), and his .599 win percentage also ranks third. Grant finished with a .620 winning percentage through 18 regular seasons, and Green finished at .610 (10 regular seasons).
Minnesota’s success under Zimmer has also been despite serious challenges, from multiple eye surgeries for the head coach in 2016 to the tragic passing of Tony Sparano on the eve of the team’s training camp opening in 2018.
The Vikings have dealt with injuries to key players, particularly on offense, but Zimmer has faced every obstacle with firm resolve.
After all, as Zimmer proposed and put up posters at the Vikings’ headquarters, “Hard times don’t last. People do last.”
During his third game, Zimmer had to turn to rookie Teddy Bridgewater after an injury to Matt Cassel in New Orleans. However, the Vikings did get a respectable 7-9 mark.
Bridgewater started the last 12 games that season and all 16 in 2015, when Minnesota finished 11-5. The Vikings appeared to be gaining momentum as they prepared to open US Bank Stadium in 2016, but Bridgewater suffered a non-contact knee injury days before the season began.
