Vikes Say: “Zimmer Is Our Coach”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings say Mike Zimmer is their new coach.

The Vikings announced the news on Twitter on Wednesday night. Zimmer becomes the team's ninth head coach in the franchise's 54-year history. He replaces Leslie Frazier, who was fired after the team went 5-10-1 and missed the playoffs.

Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati. The 57-year-old is getting his first chance to be a head coach.

Zimmer has a fiery personality and last season helped the Bengals defense to the No. 3 ranking in the NFL. He takes over a Vikings team that had one of the worst defenses in the league last season.

Frazier has been hired to be the defensive coordinator in Tampa under new coach Lovie Smith.