Adam, an assistant on Zimmer’s staff, was working as an offensive assistant for the Bengals at the time of his death.
“He loved football so much and told me his career was ruined because he got fired,” Zimmer says. “It got to him. I told him everyone gets fired in this job, but it was tough for him.”
The two spent a lot of time together this year at Zimmer’s ranch in Kentucky.
“Every Sunday that first year until Adam died, we went golfing together at the Triple Crown Country Club in Union, Kentucky, right next to the ranch,” Zimmer says. “He called me a few days before he died and said he would be back at the ranch on Monday. He said, ‘I have something to do.’ He never came back.”
Zimmer had an opportunity to coach in 2022, but didn’t want to “take a step back” and become defensive coordinator. He had more opportunities to coach in 2023, but was still too jaded by Adams’ death to accept an offer. In 2009, Zimmer’s wife, Vikki, died unexpectedly at age 50. Zimmer, who was with the Bengals at the time, coached the following Sunday.
This time, Zimmer tried to stay busy on the ranch. He bought a backhoe and dug a 6-acre lake. He shot a few deer and doves. He did a bit of media work for the 33rd team’s website. And, of course, he continued to be paid by the Vikings through 2023. He returned to the Triple Crown to hit golf balls on the range, but hardly played since Adam left.
