NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans completed a formal interview with Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the team announced Thursday.
The interview was the third in as many days by Tennessee in its search to replace Mike Munchak as head coach. The Titans **interviewed Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell Wednesda**y and Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Tuesday. The Washington Redskins hired Gruden Thursday to replace Mike Shanahan.
Zimmer just completed his 20th season in the NFL, 14th in a row as defensive coordinator and his sixth straight as Bengals defensive coordinator, where he helped Cincinnati make the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. Cincinnati finished the 2013 regular season ranked third in total defense (305.5 yards per game) and tied for fifth in points allowed (19.1 per game).
This is the third straight year that Zimmer has interviewed for a head coaching position. He earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers and from CBSSports.com when the Bengals ranked fourth in yards allowed (301.4 per game) and sixth in points allowed (18.2) per game.
Before joining the Bengals, Zimmer was defensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons (2007) and Dallas Cowboys (2000-06). Zimmer was an assistant coach with the Cowboys from 1994-99 before being promoted to coordinator.
Prior to joining Dallas' staff, Zimmer coached 15 years in the college ranks. He was an assistant at Missouri (1979-80) and Weber State (1981-82) and defensive coordinator at Weber State (1983-88) and Washington State (1989-93). Zimmer played quarterback and linebacker at Illinois State (1974-76).
Zimmer will turn 58 this year. Click here for his bio at bengals.com.
