Will Leslie Frazier return as the Vikings head coach in 2014?
After Frazier coached the Vikings to a 10-6 record last season and a playoff spot, management and ownership declined to extend his contract. The team reportedly has an option for Frazier’s services in 2014, making it easy and inexpensive to let him go if that is the decision.
But a trusted source has repeatedly told Sports Headliners that in late summer the Vikings were talking about a multi-year extension to Frazier’s contract. If true, this sort of mixed message is part of what characterizes Frazier’s tenure as coach.
Multiple sources, including a Sports Headliners source, are now reporting the Vikings have contacted Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, a former offensive coordinator with the NFL Patriots. If accurate, it means a coaching search, even if in preliminary mode, has started.
Could Frazier keep his job if the team wins its last two games of the season? A final record of 6-9-1 would be a major disappointment but perhaps not seen as a complete disaster by Frazier’s bosses after this team started the season 1-7.
Frazier was 3-13 two years ago. Two of his three full seasons as head coach haven’t resulted in records even approaching .500. He and his staff, along with the personnel department, haven’t solved the quarterback problem. There have been questionable coaching decisions about the use of certain players, plus stumbles in game management and failing to win in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
But Frazier’s likeability and leadership has not only won friends in the organization and community but more importantly has kept the players on his side when the season was moving toward oblivion. “These guys have not quit,” said Dean Dalton, a former Vikings assistant coach.
A strong close to the season might save Frazier’s job but it probably won’t stop a shakeup of the coaching staff. Despite Frazier’s loyalty to his staff (and players) there aren’t many knowledgeable Vikings observers who believe offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and defensive coordinator Alan Williams will return in the same roles in 2014.
Frazier? Ask the question about his future this way: the Vikings haven’t made a long term commitment to him in the past, so based on two losing seasons and other critiques of his work how likely is it he will be retained?
If there’s a change, a lot of names will surface as Frazier’s successor including Brian Billick, the former Vikings assistant coach who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens but hasn’t coached since 2007. His head coaching experience and communication skills could fit well at a time when the Vikings are trying to rebuild the team and gain public confidence for not only next season but the new stadium opening in 2016.
The list could also include Stanford head coach David Shaw whose father Willie Shaw is a former Vikings assistant and Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, an ex-Gophers assistant whose wife is from Minnesota. Shaw and Sumlin are both known as successful offensive coaches who have talents in developing quarterbacks.
Dalton said there are some differences in coaching college and pro football but not enough to eliminate college candidates for NFL openings. “I think the great ones can do it at any level.”
A successful head coach has to be a “CEO type” in the opinion of Dalton. What that includes is a high football IQ and the ability to attract top assistant coaches while being a teacher and leader who goes about the job with authority and consistency.
“To be honest, Leslie fits all those things,” Dalton said. “It’s been disappointing as to how things have gone in terms of the product on the field and number of victories.”
Worth Noting
Bill McGuire is a name to follow in the coming months and years. The former UnitedHealth executive took over ownership of the NASL Minnesota United FC soccer franchise last year. Some day he could be operating his team in a downtown soccer stadium near the Minneapolis Farmers Market.
McGuire was in Kansas City, Kansas earlier this month along with his son-in-law Nick Rogers who is president of Minnesota United. The two invited Twins president Dave St. Peter and Minnesota Ballpark Authority executive director Dan Kenney. Both are authorities on stadiums.
The group watched a game in Sporting Park, a facility that seats 18,467 for soccer and 25,000 for concerts. The outdoor stadium opened in 2011 and cost $200 million.
St. Peter said the Twins aren’t moving toward an ownership interest in the soccer team or in a new soccer stadium. “Our focus is on the Twins,” he told Sports Headliners.
St. Peter was impressed with the Kansas City stadium. Would a similar facility be successful in the Farmers Market area where business leaders there are intrigued about a stadium being a catalyst for economic growth? “I don’t know if there is a model to support that,” he said. “I am not sure I have enough information to have an opinion.”
Although soccer and baseball seasons are concurrent, St. Peter isn’t concerned about the growth of soccer. “We don’t view soccer as a threat to our fan base,” he said.
McGuire is highly regarded among business people. He probably doesn’t see his franchise’s present home site at the National Sports Center in Blaine as a permanent facility for the team. It wouldn’t be surprising to some day see an open air soccer facility downtown that could also be used for concerts and other events.
For the second time in five years the MIAC will provide the football officiating crew for the Division III national championship game in Salem, Virginia. Working Friday’s game between Mount Union and UW-Whitewater will be Twin Citians Tom Barnette, Tony Day, Tom Schiller, Josh Thurow, Ben Conley, Chris Rossini and Tom Gillund.
Washburn running back Jeff Jones liked Iowa State running backs coach Kenith Pope who was recruiting him but left the Cyclones staff recently. As a college assistant, Pope was part of staffs that coached legendary running backs Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson. Jones made an official visit to Iowa State last weekend after previously visiting the Gophers.
Washburn coach Giovan Jenkins told Sports Headliners Jones has improved his ACT score and plans to take the test again to score even higher.
Steve Erban e-mailed earlier this week that his Creative Charters has filled the seats on the December 25 airplane headed to Houston for the Texas Bowl but space remains on the second plane departing Minneapolis on December 26. Erban encourages Gophers fans to travel next week in large numbers, helping develop a reputation that Minnesota fans are passionate about attending bowl games. The Gophers are favored to defeat Syracuse on December 27 in the Texas Bowl. More on travel information at Creativecharter.com.
Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton has followed the improbable comeback season of Auburn. The 11-1 Tigers will play at the Rose Bowl for the national championship against 12-0 Florida State on January 6. Dalton will be there and see his son Devon, an Eden Prairie High School graduate, play the tuba in the Auburn marching band. The Tigers were 3-9 overall last season, 0-8 in the SEC.
Congratulations to Hamline’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee for thinking about U.S. military members in Afghanistan during the holidays. SAAC collected 342 pounds of items including food, shampoo and toothpaste to ship there. SAAC has members from 19 sports and is chaired by volleyball coach Becky Egan. Tara Dooley, Hamline’s assistant trainer who served in Iraq and Kuwait, and school athletic director Jason Verdugo initiated the overseas effort.
Johnson High School and alumni celebrate 100 years of hockey at the St. Paul school on Saturday with multiple events. The school won four state titles including the 1955 team that Herb Brooks played for. Alumni games will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Phalen Arena in St. Paul. Johnson will play South St. Paul in junior varsity and varsity games at 1 and 3 p.m. at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood. A dinner and silent auction are scheduled Saturday at Jimmy’s Event Center in Vadnais Heights starting at 5 p.m.
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