Author: David Shama

Local writer and broadcaster Larry Fitzgerald continues his Monday night Vikings events at Outback Steakhouse in Inver Grove Heights when he hosts quarterback Tarvaris Jackson this evening.  More information on activities including Jackson’s appearance is available by calling 651-457-7688.

Offensive lineman Tommy Olson from Mahtomedi, and tight end/linebacker Peter Westerhaus from Holy Family Catholic, both Gophers recruits, were among 30 prep players recognized at yesterday’s Vikings game.  They are part of the Vikings’ ninth annual All-State team as selected by media, prep coaches and Vikings staff.  Rosemount’s Jeff Erdmann was selected High School Coach of the Year after his team advanced to the state title game in Class 5A.

Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Corey Brewer of the Wolves are among 120 players on the ballot for the February 20 NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles.  Don’t bet your Christmas stocking on Beasley being voted an all-star.  If you can find anyone who will wager Brewer makes the Western Conference All-Stars, close the bet faster than you can say Corey.

Love is having a breakout season and could be All-Star bound.  He’s averaging 15.3 rebounds, best in the league.  Last year Orlando’s Dwight Howard led the NBA in rebounding at 13.2 per game.   Fans can vote for all-stars at Target Center and at www.nba.com.

The Twins have 37 players on their major league roster, 26 of whom aren’t signed but contracts have been tendered.  The 11 signed for the 2011 season are Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Michael Cuddyer, Eric Hacker, Jason Kubel, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan, Pat Neshek, Jason Repko and Denard Span.

Bethel’s football program has participated in the Division III playoffs six times since 2000.  Bethel defeated St. Thomas on 12-7 Saturday to advance to the semifinals.      Coach Steve Johnson’s team will play in Alliance, Ohio next Saturday against Mount Union.

Two Concordia (St. Paul) players, Megan Carlson and Cassie Haag, were among  three voted first team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.  Devin Diedrich, from Southwest Minnesota State, was the third player, giving the NSIC all three spots on the Division II All-American first team.  Concordia’s Amanda Konetchy was named Freshman of the Year and made second team All-American. Concordia’s Emily Pahlkert also made the second team and Kayla Koenecke, from Concordia, was named to the third team.  Concordia won its fourth consecutive national championship on Saturday by defeating Tampa.

Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier not only coached as an assistant under Tony Dungy, he resembles the former Super Bowl winning coach in personality.  Both are soft spoken and have calming demeanors.

When Frazier took over the job of head coach from Brad Childress last week the Vikings players realized what they were getting.  Frazier had worked three-plus seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator where he directed a talented unit while winning praise for his performance.  Players on both offense and defense knew the kind of personality to expect from the new boss.

Defensive back Lito Sheppard had even worked for Frazier in Philadelphia where he was Sheppard’s position coach.  Sheppard said players respect Frazier and part of that is because of his demeanor.  “They want to go out and do well for him,” Sheppard said.

Although his personality is reserved, that doesn’t mean Frazier won’t yell or raise his voice.  “Yeah, there might have been one or two (times this year),” Sheppard laughed.  “But you gotta have that as a man, (and) as a leader regardless of your demeanor.  It’s a time to get excited, to get a little angry and put your foot down.  As much as we don’t see it, he does have it in him.  We saw it once or twice this year.”

Vikings wide receiver Greg Camarillo said a volatile coach would have added the wrong chemistry to the team’s locker room.  The Vikings were 3-7 and in free fall when Frazier took over last week.  “If you come in here halfway through the season cussing and yelling, nobody’s going to take to that,” he said.  “But to come in and be calm shows that he respects us.  That’s the first step.  You show that you respect your players, they’ll give you that same respect back.”

Frazier will infrequently raise his voice, but not swear.  “I don’t think you necessarily need profanity to get your point across,” Sheppard said.

Camarillo said in the “football world” coaches sometimes struggle to find the right words to communicate but not Frazier. “I don’t know if I have ever heard him cuss.  He’s actually got an impressive vocab, man.  He’s hit us with several vocab words that sound pretty good.”

Contrary to negative media reports and public opinion, the Gophers football coaching search is likely more positive than is being portrayed.  Also, don’t be surprised if a head coach, someone with previous college head coaching experience, is announced within two weeks.

Gophers fans have been told that several coaches who previously have been linked with the Minnesota job are not interested.  Some probably are not, but Sports Headliners believes the search is progressing successfully and coach Tim Brewster’s successor could be announced by mid-December.

Don’t be too concerned that a large contract buyout will sideline the Gophers and a candidate who wants to come here.  Minnesota probably can handle a buyout situation of $1 million or more needed to get a coach free from his existing contract.

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi will make the hiring decision on the new coach with input from a few advisors.  Maturi will take his recommendation to school President Bob Bruininks.  It’s not known whether Eric Kaler, who will take over as president next year, will have input.

Among candidates most prominently rumored to be on the Minnesota short list, San Diego State’s Brady Hoke and Temple’s Al Golden could be front runners.  Both have Big Ten Conference backgrounds and that is a welcome qualification for the job by Maturi.

Timing is always a major factor during a personnel search.  South Florida’s Skip Holtz likely would have been a prime candidate a year ago before he left East Carolina.  Holtz’s team beat Miami last Saturday and he has an impressive resume but he’s an improbable candidate for Minnesota having been on the South Florida job for such a short duration.

Also regarding timing, Michigan’s coaching puzzle could be in Minnesota’s favor.  If the Wolverines job opens, Hoke is likely on the school’s short list because of his success at San Diego State and previous experience as associate head coach at Michigan.