Vikings name Andre Patterson, Adam Zimmer as co-DCs

Posted January 27, 2020 6:00 am

The Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer promoted his son on Monday to help fill a key vacancy on his staff, appointing Adam Zimmer and Andre Patterson as co-defensive coordinators.

The Vikings announced their revamped lineup of assistant coaches, which includes two new hires and four internal promotions.

Assistant head coach Gary Kubiak, as reported last week by multiple media outlets including The Associated Press, will be the offensive coordinator. He was an offensive adviser in 2019 for offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, who left to be the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Patterson (defensive line) and Adam Zimmer (linebackers) will continue to direct their respective position groups under Mike Zimmer, one of the league's top defensive strategists who has called plays on that side of the ball for the bulk of his six-season run in Minnesota. Adam Zimmer, Patterson and assistant special teams coach Ryan Ficken are the only assistants with primarily football responsibilities who have stayed with Mike Zimmer throughout his tenure since being hired in 2014. George Edwards served as defensive coordinator for the Vikings for the last six years, but his contract was not renewed.

Defensive backs coach Jerry Gray also departed after six seasons. He was replaced by Daronte Jones, who held the same role with the Miami Dolphins for the last two years. Phil Rauscher was hired as an assistant offensive line coach, a position he held this season with the Washington Redskins. Rauscher replaces Andrew Janocko, who was moved to wide receivers coach, replacing the departed Drew Petzing. Rauscher previously worked alongside Kubiak with the Denver Broncos and was most recently on staff with the Redskins.

Since the arrival of the Zimmers and Patterson, the Vikings are third in the NFL in sacks (260) and yards allowed (321.8) per game.

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FILE - In this June 13, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings assistant head coach and offensive advisor Gary Kubiak watches quarterbacks during drills at the team's NFL football training facility in Eagan, Minn. The Vikings have chosen Kubiak as their offensive coordinator. He fills the vacancy created by Kevin Stefanski's departure to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns. The widely expected move was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club had not yet made the announcement. The 58-year-old Kubiak served as offensive adviser and assistant to head coach Mike Zimmer this season. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King, File) The Associated Press

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