Mike Zimmer: “I’ll Take Down Your A**!” Cowboys Scouting Report on New Coach Mike Zimmer’s students, Marcus Spears and Darren Woodson, cautioned the team’s existing defensive line with optimism now that Zimmer is in charge.
The new boss is the same as the last one.

In need of a new defensive coordinator to replace the Washington-bound Dan Quinn, the Dallas Cowboys went with experience, hiring former overseer and sideline mainstay Mike Zimmer.

The millennial Cowboys fans are familiar with Zimmer from his 13 seasons as a member of the Dallas staff (1994–2006). Zimmer has worked as a consultant under Deion Sanders at both Jackson State and Colorado throughout the previous two seasons. During his seven seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator, he oversaw tours that included

Roy Williams, DeMarcus Ware, La’Roi Glover, and Dexter Coakley all made trips to the Pro Bowl. Following the 1996 season, Zimmer served as the defensive backs coach for the Cowboys during their final Super Bowl run.
Obviously, Zimmer’s previous proteges have taken notice of the move. Veteran Darren Woodson, whose legendary Dallas stint mostly coincided with Zimmer’s first visit, cautioned the current generation of Cowboys not to expect a new friend on the staff.
Woodson stated, “He doesn’t have any ‘back up’ in him,” according to an ESPN article by Todd Archer. “He intends to plant his feet. Like Bill Parcells, he would battle you tooth and nail for your (butt).”

“You’ll carry out his instructions. He may not be your closest pal.

It won’t be all cuddles and good vibes. That isn’t taking place. He will put you to the test.”

Maybe that’s precisely what the Cowboys require: Before vanishing in Quinn’s bitter farewell, Dallas essentially coasted on regular season accomplishments, losing 48–32 to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round.

Marcus Spears, an ESPN analyst now, experienced a different type of Zimmer, having been under his tutelage for the first two years following his arrival as the 20th pick in the 2005 draft. Spears, who had an excellent eight-season career in North Texas, was a little more forgiving but still cautioned against any offensive remarks made by the Cowboys right now.