Adam Zimmer, Former Minnesota Vikings Co-Defensive Coordinator + Son Of Mike Zimmer, Dies At 38

Adam Zimmer, former Minnesota Vikings co-defensive coordinator and son of former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, has passed away at the age of 38 years old.

Adam's sister Corri shared the news Tuesday morning on Instagram, with NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero reporting it via Twitter.

In Corri's Instagram post about her brother's passing, she remembered her brother as "the kindest, sweetest, family loving, sports obsessed soul there ever was." She went on to express the shock of Adam's passing so unexpectedly and the grief she and her family are feeling once again, mentioning she had "felt pain like this once before" in reference to the passing of her mom Vikki in 2009.

Adam started his NFL coaching career with the New Orleans Saints, working with the team from 2006 to 2009 as an assistant linebacker coach. He then worked for the Kansas City Chiefs in the same type of role from 2010 to 2012.

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In 2013, Adam joined his father Mike in Cincinnatti, where he became an assistant defensive backs coach under his dad, who was the defensive coordinator for the Bengals.

The Zimmers then both moved on to Minnesota. When Mike took on the role of Vikings head coach in 2014, Adam worked as linebackers coach from 2014 to 2019. Adam was elevated to co-defensive coordinator and worked as linebackers coach in 2020 and 2021 for Minnesota. After the Vikings made a coaching change at the end of the 2021 season, Adam found a new role with the Bengals, this time as an offensive analyst.

Following the news of Adam's passing, Vikings ownership shared a statement, saying the following:

"We are heartbroken to hear about the passing of Adam Zimmer. 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."

Zimmer's most recent team, the Bengals also shared a statement, saying the following:

"Our organization has had the privilege of knowing and working with the Zimmer family for 15 years. 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."