Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Mike Zimmer: Pat Shurmur will be 'successful' head coach wherever he lands

PHILADELPHIA -- Mike Zimmer has seen firsthand the magic Pat Shurmur can work. Zimmer is the Minnesota Vikings' head coach. Shurmur is his offensive coordinator.

Shurmur has reshaped the Vikings’ offense on the fly this season with Case Keenum as his quarterback. He began 2017 with the less-mobile Sam Bradford behind center.

It’s just one of the reasons Zimmer believes Shurmur would do well wherever he lands (likely with the New York Giants) as a head coach.

“I think if he gets the opportunity, he’ll be successful,” Zimmer said during a conference call with Philadelphia media as his team prepares for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon against the Eagles.

The Giants' focus for their head-coaching position has shifted to Shurmur, 52, in recent days. His strong interview, ability to be flexible with personnel and scheme and success with quarterbacks impressed team brass. It would be surprising if he didn’t end up as their coach whenever the Vikings' season ends.

It might have to wait until after the Super Bowl on Feb. 4 in Minnesota.

Zimmer’s respect for his offensive coordinator predates their time with the Vikings. Shurmur originally joined his staff as the tight-ends coach following a stint as Cleveland Browns head coach and as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.

“I was able to compete against Pat a few times when he was a head coach in Cleveland,” Zimmer said. “I always thought his schemes did a good job.

“And then we brought him in here as one of the assistants. He’s a smart guy, good relationship with the players. He’s done an outstanding job this year and I do believe he’s earned the right [to be a head coach].”

Shumur appears destined to get that opportunity. He also interviewed with the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions this year.

Zimmer is working under the premise that he will lose his offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen earlier this week.

Shurmur went 9-23 as the head coach of the Browns in 2011-12. In retrospect, considering Cleveland’s recent struggles, that might not have been so bad: The Browns are 1-31 over the past two seasons under Hue Jackson.

Shurmur more than meets the Giants’ pre-search criteria of either having head-coaching experience or being a longtime coordinator. He’s been both.

There is reason to believe given his track record that he will achieve more success the second time around as a head coach. Zimmer -- and the Giants -- are among those who believe it can happen.

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