Bengals hire Falcons' Zimmer as defensive coordinator

CINCINNATI -- Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was hired Tuesday for the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been dragged down by their defense for years.

The 51-year-old Zimmer was available because of the Falcons' uncertainty over their next head coach. The Falcons hired Tom Dimitroff as general manager on Sunday, and are still looking for a coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit after 13 games.

Zimmer becomes the third defensive coordinator under Marvin Lewis, who has led the Bengals to the playoffs once during his five seasons as head coach. Poor defense has been a constant thread.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was fired after Lewis' second season. Chuck Bresnahan replaced him for the past three seasons, but failed to improve a unit that has regularly ranked in the bottom third of the league.

The Bengals were 27th in yards allowed and gave up 385 points, prompting them to fire Bresnahan and linebackers coach Ricky Hunley following a 7-9 finish.

Zimmer was the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator for seven seasons before moving to the Falcons last year. Atlanta finished 29th in yards allowed and gave up 414 points, fourth-most in the NFL.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press