Bengals Coach Mike Zimmer Comes Home To Find Wife Vikki Dead

by Frank Liao | October 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm

40705 views | 8 Recommendations | 20 comments

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer came home Thursday night to discover the dead body of his 50-year old wife Vikki Zimmer.

The Hamilton County Coroner's Office does not suspect that foul play was involved. The official report on the cause of death will not be released until an autoposy is performed.

The news of Vikki's death comes at a terrible shock to members of the Bengals organiztion. Bengals president Mike Brown said, "We will dearly miss Vikki. She was a friend to all of us, and a big supporter of Mike’s players. Her thoughtfulness to them in so many ways will also be greatly missed.”

Mike and Vikki Zimmer were married for 27 years. Mike Zimmer has been an NFL defensive coordinator for 10 years, the last two coming with the Bengals.

Vikki was born in Layton, Utah. She and Mike met during Mike’s coaching tenure at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah in 1981. They were married for 27 years and have three children. Their son Adam Zimmer is an assistant linebackers coach for the Saints.

Vikki Zimmer's death was felt with great solemness throughout the Cowboys organization, where Mike worked for eight years between 1994 and 2002. He worked closely with Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo, who released this statement about Zimmer:

"This is a sad day because I feel the worst for the kids. They have three beautiful kids and in the coaching business, in many times, the kids are closer to their mother than they are their father because of the work schedule."

"We remember Vikki for her vibrant love of life and her loving devotion to her family."

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lacher (not verified)

at 11:43 on October 11th, 2009

my condolences, a great coach, my heart goes out to his family, rest in peace vikki

Hayes (not verified)

at 14:01 on October 11th, 2009

With all sports rivalries aside, he is a great coach and man, and I wish the best for him and his kids. I don't know how he went back to work so soon after his wife's death (I know I would not be able to do it). My respect and condolences go out to the whole Zimmer family.

SinnerG (not verified)

at 14:03 on October 11th, 2009

"Mike Zimmer's death was felt with great solemness throughout the Cowboys organization,"Don't you mean Vikki Zimmer's death?

cinci.aries (not verified)

at 11:04 on October 12th, 2009

Where does it say that Mike Zimmer died? Haven't seen that anywhere. I do wish peace, love, comfort, light, and prayers to Mr. Zimmer and his family.

Jessica Burrows (not verified)

at 16:15 on October 11th, 2009

Vicki was a great friend of everyone at the Southlake PlanetTan. We will all miss her dearly and send our prayers out to a wonderful family. Jessica BurrowsSouthlake Planet Tan

Michael Neal (not verified)

at 18:24 on October 11th, 2009

I played football at Weber State College from 1985-1988 and Coach Zimmer was my defensive coordinator. Coach Zimmer you and your family are in our prayers I am so sorry to hear about your wife’s passing. From Michael and Rhonda Neal

JAXIMA (not verified)

at 09:12 on October 12th, 2009

GOD BLESS AND COMFORT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

Louie Hernandez (not verified)

at 09:34 on October 12th, 2009

I am a Dallas Cowboys fan and I want to send my condolences to the Zimmer family.Mike god bless you and you entire family.

andy andruss (not verified)

at 10:09 on October 12th, 2009

My prayers go out to Mike Zimmer and family!!! Keep her in your hearts and remember she is smiling down on all of you. I am a die hard Charger fan my self but the Be111ngals now have a place in my heart!!! God bless all of you!!!

TONY TUCKER (not verified)

at 10:28 on October 12th, 2009

MIKE I PLAYED FOR YOU AT WEBER STATE I WAS A YOUNG FRESHMAN AND YOU TAUGHT ME TO BECOME A YOUNG MAN. PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU TONY TUCKER WILDCAT FAMILY

goannie (not verified)

at 10:29 on October 12th, 2009

Exactly, how can you lose your wife & work that weekend?! I feel for the family, but you'd think a husband of 27 years would be so distraught he couldn't get out of bed. I just hope they don't find out he was cheating on her, that her death was of natural causes, and he's just a workaholic who wanted to keep his mind off his grief by working. I hope.

cinci.indigo (not verified)

at 11:25 on October 12th, 2009

Wow, and I hope you don't ever find out what it's like to lose the dearest person in your life to you so publicly just to have some jerk smear your name and marriage 4 short days later. What is the matter with you? Do you HAVE to advertise your ignorance and lack of respect on the WORLD wide web. Mr. zimmer should not have to be subjected to such stupidity and neither should the rest of us.

trenny (not verified)

at 11:57 on October 12th, 2009

no one knows what they would do in this situation.

whatislove1 (not verified)

at 11:55 on October 12th, 2009

I agree cinci.indigo. I was thinking the same thing. I've had a major loss like Mr Zimmer & I know how throwing yourself into work can keep your mind off the loss. It doesn't take away the pain but it numbs it. My deepest condolences to the Zimmer family & may God bless you & give you strength during this time.

Cherrie Woolard (not verified)

at 12:08 on October 12th, 2009

Hi Mike, The Woolard family is still in shock. We all love you and Vikki so much. Your family is in our prayers. Please keep in touch. Love to all, Cherrie

Larry Sheppard (not verified)

at 13:42 on October 12th, 2009

Please reach out to Mike and let him know friends back in Illinois are thinking of him and praying for his family. Coach Larry Sheppard Providence Catholic High School