Vikings hire Mike Zimmer

“They can kind of portray you any way they want to,” Zimmer said. “On the field I’m going to be a fiery guy when I want to ... but I’m an honest guy.”

He added, “I’m going to be passionate on the field because that’s who I am.”

In addition to settling on a starting quarterback, fixing the defense will be a top priority in 2014. Minnesota finished 31st in yards allowed and dead last in points allowed last season. That was a drastic drop from the previous season when Minnesota finished 14th in points allowed.

This is where Zimmer’s expertise should come into play. The newly minted head coach comes over from the Cincinnati Bengals where he was the defensive coordinator for the past six seasons. Zimmer molded one of the best units in football, helping Cincinnati make the playoffs the last three years.

The Bengals’ defense has excelled under Zimmer, finishing sixth in total defense in 2012 and improving to third overall in 2013. Zimmer won the 2009 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award.

The Bengals face the San Diego Chargers on Sunday in the NFL playoffs, so until their season concludes, the Vikings won’t be able to contact either coach.

This isn’t the first time Bevell’s been a candidate for a head coaching vacancy. He interviewed with Chicago, Jacksonville and Arizona last season.

• Black Monday: Shanahan, Frazier among first NFL coaches fired

The Minnesota Vikings are one of a handful of NFL teams beginning a coaching search, and the team is reportedly looking at the college ranks for Leslie Frazier’s replacement.

Another college coach that has been named as a potential candidates for the Vikings is Penn State head man Bill O’Brien, who is also rumored to be sought after by the Houston Texans.