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Former Vikings assistant Adam Zimmer, son of former coach Mike Zimmer, dies at 38

chris tomasson, pioneer press
·2 min read
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Adam Zimmer, the Vikings’ co-defensive coordinator the previous two seasons and the son of former Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer, died Monday. He was 38.

The Cincinnati Bengals, for whom Adam Zimmer had been working as an offensive analyst, announced the death Tuesday morning. No cause was given.

Adam Zimmer was the Vikings’ linebackers coach from 2014-21, when his father served as head coach. He was then the co-defensive coordinator from 2020-21 along with then-defensive line coach Andre Patterson.

“We are heartbroken to hear about the passing of Adam Zimmer,” the Vikings ownership group wrote in a statement. “Adam was a kind, respectful man, and over his years in Minnesota, it was evident he cared tremendously about his family, his players, his fellow coaches and the Vikings front office staff. Our thoughts are with Mike, Corri, Marki and the entire Zimmer family.”

Adam Zimmer’s sisters were Corri Zimmer White and Marki Zimmer. Corri Zimmer White, posted a tribute to her brother on Instagram on Tuesday morning.

“I can’t believe I’m writing this. I lost my big brother yesterday,” she posted. “The kindest, sweetest, family loving, sports obsessed soul there ever was.”

Before coming to the Vikings, Adam Zimmer was Cincinnati’s defensive backs coach in 2013. His father was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2008-13.

“Our organization has had the privilege of knowing and working with the Zimmer family for 15 years,” Bengals president Mike Brown wrote in a statement. “We have the highest regard for Mike and Adam, and we are incredibly saddened by this tragic news. Mike and Adam were more than just coaches for us — they were friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zimmer family at this time.”

Vikki Zimmer, the wife of Mike Zimmer and mother of Adam, died in 2009 at age 50 of natural causes.

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