Jesse Holley On Cowboys Hiring Mike Zimmer, "There's More Layers That People Aren't Discussing

The Dallas Cowboys have their new defensive coordinator in Mike Zimmer, who is a former NFL head coach. Zimmer was relieved of his duties in 2021 and set off to become a consultant for both Jackson State and Colorado for the past two years.

Despite fans questioning the Cowboys' moving from Dan Quinn to Zimmer, former Dallas wide receiver Jesse Holley spoke about the hire of Zimmer on Bleav in Cowboys.

"I'm not mad at the Zimmer hire. I'm not. I just think that there's more layers that people aren't discussing that it will take to make this thing work. Zimm is a different type of coach than what DQ [Dan Quinn] was. How do the other assistants handle that? Zimm is a different kind of coach than DQ was. How will the players handle that?"

via Jesse Holley, Bleav in the Dallas Cowboys

Any time that a new coach comes into play, players and other staff have to figure a way out to complement that new coach. Zimmer has his own style that is likely not going to be what Quinn offers. He will need to ensure that he keeps the defensive unit as a top 10 though. 

"DQ had the defense in the last three years as a top ten defense in the league. I get it. Playoffs is where it mattered most. I understand everyone's going to say yes. But I'm not mad at the hire. I just think it's just more that it is more layers to this whole complex equal ecosystem that is the Dallas Cowboys."

via Jesse Holley, Bleav in the Dallas Cowboys

Holley has a point in the defense needs to step it up when it matters most, and that is in the playoffs. Look at the Kansas City Chiefs. Their defense came alive in the playoffs, resulting in a Super Bowl win. 

Whether or not Zimmer is similar to Quinn, if he can get the defense to deliver throughout the entire year, that is what will count at the end of the day.