The longtime assistant previously had interviewed for five coaching jobs and been passed over for many other interviews despite an excellent body of work as a creative defensive mind. Anyone who has watched Zimmer during three separate seasons on HBO's "Hard Knocks" knows that he is a man who doesn't pull verbal punches. The style might not be for every owner, but Zimmer has earned this shot. He's been great in his career at maximizing his talent and developing defensive players.