Who has the better year: Vikings vs. Timberwolves

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ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 10: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings watches game action from the sideline during the second half of a preseason gameof a preseason gameagainst the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. Minnesota defeats Buffalo 17-10. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

2. Coaching

Mike Zimmer vs. Tom Thibodeau is an interesting debate because although they coach different sports, their philosophies are very similar. Both men are defensive minded coaches who have been known around their respective leagues for building dominant defenses.

Both Zimmer and Thibodeau worked a long time in the assistant coaching ranks before getting their shot at being the head guy.

Zimmer coached for 14 seasons as an assistant coach bouncing around from the Falcons, Cowboys, and Bengals before finally landing the head coaching gig with the Vikings.

The Vikings ranked 31st in team defense the year before Zimmer accepted the head coaching position. Zimmer wasted no time installing a defensive focus in his first year with the Vikings, bringing their 2014 ranking all the way up to 14th in the NFL.

There is no doubt among Vikings faithful that Zimmer has instilled a staunch defensive identity for the Vikings over his first three seasons at the helm. Last year the Vikings were ranked third on that very same list.

The Vikings under Zimmer have a combined record of 26 wins and 22 losses with one playoff appearance in three seasons.

Thibodeau meanwhile spent 20 seasons as an assistant coach with too many teams to count. His first head coaching position came with the Chicago Bulls in 2010.

While with the Chicago Bulls, Thibodeau wasted no time instilling a defensive culture. In his first season, Thibodeau improved a previously tenth ranked defensive team to being ranked first in the NBA.

Thibodeau made the playoffs in all five of his seasons with the Bulls and made it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, In one season with the Timberwolves, he failed to vastly improve a poor defense. The Timberwolves ranked in the bottom five teams in defensive efficiency this last season.

He has a combined record of 286-190 over the course of six NBA seasons.

Although he may have the better career record as a coach, I’m inclined to give the edge to Mike Zimmer and the Vikings with this one.

Last year was a year full of bad luck for the Vikings. Before they fell short to injuries, the Vikings looked prime to run the NFC and contend for a Super Bowl. The familiarity and culture for the Vikings is a winning one which stems from their head coach.

Thibodeau needs to establish his defense this next year as his first step to creating a culture.

Coaching Winner: Vikings

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