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Mike Zimmer and Andy Reid give advice to future coaches at Career Development Symposium

Take it from Zimmer: Persistence is the path to a coaching job

PHILADELPHIA -- It turns out Mike Zimmer's faith in himself wasn't as unwavering as it seemed.

Zimmer was here on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania a year ago, talking about how the chip on his shoulder was growing with each head-coaching interview that didn't result in a job. Saturday he was back, this time as a guest speaker at the NFL's career-development symposium -- a success story and a man who had persevered through rejection.

Even though he almost pulled the plug on his candidacy.

Zimmer told the prospective coaches and GMs in attendance he nearly withdrew from the Minnesota Vikings' coaching search back in January after he lost out on another job. Zimmer didn't name the team, though it was surely the Tennessee Titans, who hired Ken Whisenhunt as Zimmer was flying back from his second interview.

Seeing the news while airborne had Zimmer pondering his fate during a layover. A defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals from 2000-13, he was ready to accept he'd be a career assistant.

"I almost didn't go (on the second interview with Minnesota), yeah. I was so disappointed," Zimmer, 57, who nabbed the Vikings job after that interview, told FOX Sports. "It was like, 'Why even do this?' It was to that point. I figured I was getting too old. It thought, 'Forget this.'

Reid returns to Philly, gives future coaches tips

PHILADELPHIA -- Andy Reid's secret to success in the NFL is honesty.

Seventeen months after he was fired by the Eagles, Reid was in Philadelphia on Saturday to speak at the NFL's career development symposium at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

Reid, who led the Kansas City Chiefs from 2-14 to 11-5 and an AFC wild-card berth in his first season last year, gave advice to prospective head coaches and general managers. There were 70 attendees representing each of the NFL's 32 teams.

''Honesty is very important,'' Reid told the audience. ''Those kids are looking for it. You can't just talk about it. Be transparent. You have to show them and that sets the standard for the organization.''

Reid reiterated his point throughout two panel discussions on respect at work and managing key relationships.

''Respecting people is an important part of life whether it's the person doing janitorial work or the person above you,'' Reid said. ''It doesn't matter who you are, I'm going to respect you. The NFL is a unique work place. There are no secrets anymore. Technology has taken over and secrets are exposed. People are going to know what you're all about. You have to make sure you have real honesty in the work place or you're going to be exposed.''

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