Our New Head Coach Is:

[Shack]

TR21HP was right:

Quote:

KSTU

Vikings reach agreement with Leslie Frazier to become permanent coach

DAVE CAMPBELL

AP Sports Writer

3:18 PM MST, January 3, 2011

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have reached an agreement with Leslie Frazier to be their next coach.

The Vikings announced Monday they're removing the interim tag from Frazier's title. Frazier took over on Nov. 22 when Brad Childress was fired, and the Vikings went 3-3 under the 51-year-old after a 3-7 start.

The defensive coordinator under Childress and a former cornerback for the Bears, Frazier drew positive reviews from the players for his steady approach. They've pushed for him to get the job on a permanent basis, after many of them grew frustrated with Childress and his rigid style.

Frazier is the eighth coach in the franchise's 50-year history.

"Our players and entire organization have great respect for Leslie," owner Zygi Wilf said in a statement released by the team. "He has a vast knowledge of the game, both as a former player and as a coach, and he has a terrific way with those who play for him and work with him."

Already mired in a mess of a season that started with a Super Bowl-or-bust goal, the Vikings lost quarterback Brett Favre to a shoulder injury on Dec. 5. Then, the roof of their domed stadium collapsed a week later; they had back-to-back home games moved; and their scheduled Dec. 26 game at Philadelphia was pushed back two days by a snowstorm.

"He's a great leader. He's a player's coach, and he's somebody people would like playing for," wide receiver Percy Harvin said before the news became official.

Childress hired Frazier to run the defense in 2007 after Mike Tomlin left to become Pittsburgh's coach and later appointed him assistant head coach. Frazier has interviewed for seven coaching vacancies over the past three years.

"I like obviously playing for him," said linebacker Chad Greenway, one of several key players whose contracts are expiring. "I've played for him every year I've been the starter here. If he's going to be here, that's obviously a good thing on the comfort level."

Frazier addressed the players in a season-ending meeting on Monday morning.

"He's always seemed like a head coach ever since he took over that role," left tackle Bryant McKinnie said. "He knows how to talk to you, and he respects you."

Frazier has been coaching in the NFL since 1999. He's been an assistant with Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The native of Columbus, Mo., played at Alcorn State and broke in with the Bears in 1981.

"I think he's proven it in a number of ways, a number of areas, and seeing the way the guys respond to him in the locker room I think it's a good fit," linebacker Ben Leber said.

Frazier said he "could not have asked for a better opportunity" in the NFL.

"He played in the league, first of all," running back Adrian Peterson said after Sunday's season-ending loss at Detroit. "He has all of the respect from each and every man in this locker room. So when he talks, the ears will listen to what he has to say."

Not happy all that much with it, but he is our new head coach. Figured we would have gone for a coach who has seen a Super Bowl victory in some fashion but the time must not be right. Just feels too much like a Mike Tice switch up again, but I guess we will see. My hopes are that Wilf cheapened out on the coach to get us a QB with some actual stats now that Favre I am sure is gone for good. Maybe too much to ask after the money tossed around the last couple seasons.

At least the Dome came down without hurting anyone. I have all but written off my thoughts of not getting a stadium deal done now. Thanks to the Powers that Be for that one. What a season.

[Steve Foss]

Good for you guys. Now you can get on with the business of building for next season. I think you're going to have a little competition for the playoffs.

[Shack]

Yeah, what a season to have a cruddy season. Could skated on in, but nope. Next year I feel even Lions are going to throw down tough. Our devision is going to looking blood and bone to recoup from this seasons up and downs.

We truly are not in Kansas anymore. Kind of like the housing bubble burst. Who would have thunk?

[Juneau4]

2 years from now -fire him Won't have to the world is supposed to end before that. (Mayan calender).

[ANYFISH2]

Not happy all that much with it, but he is our new head coach. Figured we would have gone for a coach who has seen a Super Bowl victory in some fashion but the time must not be right.

He does have Superbowl rings! One while playing with the bears and one while coaching with the Colts.

I do feel this was the right choice. now what will he do with the rest of the coaching staff? How will he draft? Those are the two biggest decision he has right now. Put players together all comes later, I am confident he will be heads and tails over what we had.

[zepman]

Les Frazier is a winner....member of 2 Super Bowl teams and has the respect of everybody in this league. His signing will also help with bringing in free-agents which we'll need. Tony Dungy will be a close advisor to him and that can't hurt either.

A good, solid hire...let the dismantling of all of Chilly's mistakes begin.

[Shack]

Thanks Anyfish. I did not realize he was part of the 85' bears. My stock in him as a coach just rose some.

[LMITOUT]

I listened to the press conference and here's what I heard to expect: More of the same. Also known in these parts as mediocrity.

[Steve Foss]

I listened to the press conference and here's what I heard to expect: More of the same. Also known in these parts as mediocrity.

Good ole LMIT. Predictable as the sunrise.

[pike doctor]

2009 2010

Kansas City Chiefs 4-12 10-6

St Louis Rams 1-15 7-9

Tampa Bay Bucs 3-13 10-6

No, I guess it is impossible to turn it around in one season. Remember da Bears last year. 7-9, everyone hates Cutler, they stink, they arent going anywhere. Looks like they did alright this year. More than anything, at least the player respect Frazier. I bet this season would have looked a lot different with him at the controls the entire time. How many of you underperform at work when you boss is being a dink?

[Big Tom]

At least the Wilf's are consistent in their display of having no idea how to own a professional sports team. It's like Taylor and the TimberPuppies, only with helmets.

[reinhard1]

would you have said the same thing the year before? this isn't basketball and are not the same owners. the wilf's arn't affraid to spend the money for the players needed. i think they are doing ok. good luck.

[zepman]

I listened to the press conference and here's what I heard to expect: More of the same. Also known in these parts as mediocrity.

You must have listened to a different press conference than I did then.

Sometimes you hear what you want to hear.

[LMITOUT]

You can spend lots of money by putting coat after coat of paint on a Ford Escort, but when the new paint dries it'll always be a Ford Escort.

[LMITOUT]

You must have listened to a different press conference than I did then.

Nope, I'm sure it was the same one. Just have to "read between the lines" to hear that nothing is going to change.

Leslie is happy to have his little nookie blanket where everything is comfortable and safe....he even said he likes the way things operate. Hey pal, the way things are operating aren't working!!!! 50 years of not working!!!!

This organization needed a bomb dropped on it....not more of the same and nookie blankets for everyone.

[harvey lee]

Maybe we should give him a chance or are you sure so he is no good that he should be fired?

He does deserve a chance I would say.

Maybe you should be the perfect coach so we will win the big one since it seems to be so easy.

[Stcloudangler]

But then he couldn't spend 13 hours a day pretending like he knows something?! Lmit would be like Belichek, except he wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut and the lipjacking would get his Tom Brady killed

[FISHINGURU]

He earned his chance, if he sucks after a year or two fire him. You can't get any worse then Chilly so we are already doing better.

Been there done that coaches aren't always the best answer, there's a reason why they are not coaching. They were either fired by someone else, or retired, or lost the passion and took time off. Look at Shanahan for the Redskins, he came in this year and they have been a monster joke.

Only thing that worries me about Frazier is he might have a bond with some of these junk players we need to drop like a bad habit. Say for example he believes in Berrian or thinks Madieu can turn it around, because they stuck up for him and believed he was a good coach,ect.

[Big Tom]

would you have said the same thing the year before? this isn't basketball and are not the same owners. the wilf's arn't affraid to spend the money for the players needed. i think they are doing ok. good luck.

Yes.

Chilly is and was a joke. No need I hope to debate that one. Hiring him as a coach/general mgr. was as bad as giving the reins to McHale. Spending money wasn't a problem for Glen Taylor either. Gambling on someone that had never run a team was.

Vikings have overlooked the need for drafting quality at quarterback, OL and DB for years just the way the Wolves continually draft poorly and still haven't. found a true #5.

Chilly wastes a third rounder on Moss for a few games. Joe Smith costs the Wolves multiple 1st rounders and they don't retain his rights or get anything for him.

I could go on but you seem to miss the comparisons so I won't.

My point here is that the 'smart" owners understand they dont know sports and hire those that have demonstrated that they do. Look at the differences between the Ownership of the Pats and Saints vs. the Cowboys and Skins. All spend money. Some are just better at indentifying skilled people to trust and others can't resist micromanaging to their own detriment.

Look back to the Vikings-Saints thread 10 pages down. This season for the Vikings didn't surprise me at all.

[Big Tom]

Look at Shanahan for the Redskins, he came in this year and they have been a monster joke.

Years of Dan Snyder at owner and Vince Cerrato as GM might just have had something to do with it. Snyder and Jerry Jones have the two most profitable teams in the NFL. But because they try to acquire players now and waste their draft picks they have had difficulty in being competitive on the field. Once you give most players a boat load of guaranteed money, their best days are over.

[zepman]

Ummmm....the Saints just might be one of the worst NFL football teams/franchises in NFL history. Remember the bags......

They have turned the corner now only because Drew Brees is their q-back.

[gregg52]

time will tell

but i think they made the right choice

he's a professional and kinda been there done it

now can he do it on his own

i think it way better than paying big buck for thses old tired out guy bounce around to team after team seein if they can get lucky with the right guys

like jimmie johnson he had troy e smith the cocain reciever.lol

but after that he couldnt nothing in maimi and where ever else he was

same with purcells etc etc

start with a fresh good guy with lots of enthusiasm and see what he can do

kinda like toby kieth says in the song... i'm not what i once was!!! lol

[Big Tom]

Ummmm....the Saints just might be one of the worst NFL football teams/franchises in NFL history. Remember the bags......

They have turned the corner now only because Drew Brees is their q-back.

Actually after Benson taking over ownership of the team in November 1985 and hiring Jim Mora and Jim Finks to start the 1986 campaign the Saint's record over his first 5 years as owner was 46-33 as compared to the 28-45 the previous 5. The Ditka years resurrected the bags.

True about Brees. I might add the Hiring of Sean Payton who drafted Brees might have helped as well.

[Rick]

Actually after Benson taking over ownership of the team in November 1985 and hiring Jim Mora and Jim Finks to start the 1986 campaign the Saint's record over his first 5 years as owner was 46-33 as compared to the 28-45 the previous 5. The Ditka years resurrected the bags.

True about Brees. I might add the Hiring of Sean Payton who drafted Brees might have helped as well.

Brees was drafted by the Chargers not Sean Payton and New Orleans.

[Duffman]

Up Goes Frazier! Up Goes Frazier! Up Goes Frazier!

[zamboni]

The Saints signing a great FA QB and having the choice of running any one of 3 very good RBs, 3-4 great WRs out there have made a huge difference. They have gotten over Ditka and his horrible decision of trading years of picks away for moving up to get Ricky "puff puff give" Williams. Seems like we have never gotten over the Herschel debacle. Close a couple of times, but close doesn't count

[pike doctor]

Just heard on the news that Frazier got rid of the QB coach, the OL coach, and the as. OL coach. This is definetly a step in the right direction. Hopefully he will get some help from his buddy Dungy on who he should hire.

[croixflats]

Something to look forward to next year. Actually a bit excited for next year. This past year just was no interest to me with Child being there.

Go Frazier!!

[FISHINGURU]

Nice start, Our O-line has been bad for awhile now and we haven't been able to develope a QB. It will be interesting to see which players he thinks are worthy of staying on the team.

[zepman]

Just heard on the news that Frazier got rid of the QB coach, the OL coach, and the as. OL coach. This is definetly a step in the right direction. Hopefully he will get some help from his buddy Dungy on who he should hire.

I wouldn't be suprised to see Bevell go next. Usually, not always though, the q-backs coach and O-coordinator go hand in hand. Frazier should get his OWN O-coordinator in here and completely get rid of the KAO once and for all.

The o-line coaches dismissal(s) were a no-brainer.