Bengals name Zimmer defensive coordinator

CINCINNATI, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals named Mike Zimmer their new defensive coordinator Tuesday.

Zimmer, 51, was defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons this past season after spending 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, seven as the team's defensive coordinator. The Falcons ranked 15th in total defense in the NFL last season.

Zimmer succeeds Chuck Bresnahan, who was fired this month. Bresnahan led the Bengals defense for the past three seasons, During those seasons, the Bengals defense was ranked 28th, 30th, and 27th.