Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is opening up about his son Adam’s unexpected death in October 2022.
Mike and Adam were months removed from being fired from the Minnesota Vikings at the time.
Mike served as head coach in Minnesota from 2014 to 2021, while Adam started as linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator.
“He loved football so much and he was telling me his career was ruined because he got fired,” Zimmer said in an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune published Tuesday, September 3.
“It tore him up. I told him everybody gets fired in this job, but it was hard on him.”
Adam was working remotely from Minnesota as an assistant for the Cincinnati Bengals at the time of his death.
Police found him dead in his apartment on October 31, 2022, while serving a welfare check request. An autopsy revealed “chronic ethanol use disorder,” or excessive drinking, as the cause of his death. He was 38.
The father-son coaching duo stayed close in the months leading up to Adam’s death. Mike admitted that there are still moments — like when a picture of Adam pops up on his phone — that can be devastating.
“Every Sunday, that first year until Adam passed, we went and played golf together at Triple Crown Country Club in Union, Kentucky, right by the ranch,” he said. “He called me a couple days before he passed and said he was coming back to the ranch on Monday. He said, ‘I got one more thing to do.’ He never made it back.”
Mike added that time passing and getting back to coaching have both helped him cope with his loss. He did not coach in 2022 or 2023 as he processed what happened. He also didn’t want to take a defensive coordinator job as it would signal a step back in his career.
Mike changed his tune when the Cowboys came calling, however, and now, he confessed, he’s “having fun again.”
This is his second stint with the Cowboys, having served as a defensive coach from 1994 to 2006.
“The shame is Adam would have loved being here helping us put this defense together in Dallas,” he said. “[Long-time confidante] Paul Guenther is here with me. I kept thinking, ‘Man, I wish Adam was here with us.’ He was so smart.
When I can’t remember something or get stuck, Adam could tell me exactly what I was thinking.”
He added, “So, it’s been tough. But it helps getting around the players again. We joke around. I tease them, they tease me. Like the old days.”
Mike Zimmer, the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, recently shared his heartbreak over the unexpected death of his son, Adam, in October 2022. This tragedy occurred just months after both Mike and Adam were let go from their positions with the Minnesota Vikings. Mike had been the head coach in Minnesota from 2014 to 2021, while Adam worked his way up from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator.In an emotional interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Mike revealed the intense pain Adam experienced after being fired. “He loved football so much and he was telling me his career was ruined because he got fired,” Mike recalled. “It tore him up. I told him everybody gets fired in this job, but it was hard on him.”At the time of his passing, Adam was working as an assistant for the Cincinnati Bengals, conducting his duties remotely from Minnesota. His tragic death was discovered during a welfare check requested on October 31, 2022. An autopsy later confirmed that Adam had succumbed to “chronic ethanol use disorder,” highlighting his struggles with excessive drinking. He was only 38 years old.Despite the devastating loss of his son, Mike shared that he and Adam remained close in the time leading up to the tragedy. Recalling their weekly golf outings and the phone call where Adam expressed his plans to return to the family ranch, Mike vividly captured the profound impact of his son’s absence on his life.Taking time off from coaching in 2022 and 2023, Mike focused on processing his grief and finding a way to move forward. He initially hesitated to accept another defensive coordinator position, fearing it would symbolize a step back in his career. However, when the opportunity with the Cowboys arose, Mike couldn’t resist and found himself enjoying coaching once again.Reflecting on Adam’s absence, Mike expressed deep regret that his son couldn’t be by his side to help build the Cowboys’ defense. He praised Adam’s intelligence and problem-solving skills, noting how much he relied on his son’s expertise in the past. Despite the ongoing pain of his loss, Mike found solace in reconnecting with his players and rediscovering the camaraderie of coaching.As Mike continues his coaching journey with the Cowboys, his story serves as a reminder of the enduring bond between a father and son, even in the face of tragedy. Stay tuned for more insightful updates and inspiring stories from our blog, as we strive to provide valuable content for our readers.
Mike Zimmer’s journey back to coaching following the tragic loss of his son Adam has been filled with both sorrow and resilience. Despite the pain of Adam’s unexpected passing in October 2022, Mike found solace in returning to the football field with the Dallas Cowboys.While the void left by Adam’s absence remains palpable, Mike has found comfort in the camaraderie of coaching once again. The familiar banter with players and the strategic challenges of building a defense have helped him navigate the grief of losing his son.As Mike continues to lead the Cowboys defense, his story stands as a testament to the enduring strength of a father-son bond, even in the face of heartbreaking loss. Stay tuned for more updates and stories of inspiration as we delve into the world of sports and resilience. Join us on this journey of healing and growth.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
