Sports Headliners believes new Vikings coach Leslie Frazier had an initial interest in the Gophers job last fall but neither he nor the University pursued each other.  Frazier didn’t interview for the Gophers football opening that came about because of Tim Brewster being fired in October.

Frazier’s coaching path turns out to be a classic “All’s Well That Ends Well.”  It’s documented that the 51-year-old former Vikings defensive coordinator interviewed several times in recent years for NFL head coaching openings only to be rejected.  He’s a local media favorite and supporters pushed his name for the Gophers job even though he last coached college football at Illinois in 1998.

Frazier’s coaching credentials weren’t a fit for the Gophers and his chances of success with the Vikings are far better than in Dinkytown.  The Gophers job is a much more difficult challenge.  The Vikings position offers far greater resources including better players right now.

Frazier makes a relatively easy transition into his job at Winter Park where he already knows the players, coaches, owners and competition in the NFL.  At the University he would have faced major challenges in assembling a standout staff, manipulating a mediocre roster, and mastering the recruiting game.

Frazier impressed during six weeks as interim coach and for the last several days since being named permanent coach last week.  His 3-3 interim coaching record was achieved despite some of the most confounding problems in franchise history, obstacles he couldn’t control.  He’s also been decisive in shaking up his staff, dismissing offensive line coaches Pat Morris and Jim Hueber, and quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers.

Those changes indicate less than satisfaction with the offensive line’s past performances.  The shakeup is an indication of the Vikings making the running game a priority.

The team might open next season without a big play quarterback.  Certainly the roster is without one now, and there’s this runner on the team named Adrian Peterson.  He’s been in the league for four years, won an NFL rushing title and never had less than 1,000 yards in one season.  Yet there’s a nagging notion the team brain trust has at times not made the most of his once in a generation talents.

It’s possible Frazier will sort of make this Peterson’s offense in 2011.  Peterson turns 26 in March and is young enough to carry the ball more than his 18.9 carries per game average last season.  He could have his best season statistically in 2011 trying to carry a team that has talent but needs upgrades at the offensive line, wide receiver and secondary positions.  Oh, yes, quarterback, too.

At a news conference last week Frazier described Peterson as the “No. 1 running back” in the NFL.  “…We want to be a run-first team and be able to set up things off our run game,” Frazier said.

A few months ago the Vikings were focused around former coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre.  Now the focus is Frazier and Peterson, and a goal to “deliver what our fans and this organization deserves, a world championship,” according to the coach.

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The Twins will honor Bert Blyleven prior to their July 16 game against Kansas City at Target Field.  Club executive Patrick Klinger told Sports Headliners details have yet to be planned but likely will include a giveaway for fans.

Blyleven, who received the news last week that he has been voted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, will be inducted during a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York on July 24.  He waited 14 years before finally earning the votes to be elected to the hall of fame.

Klinger said that during the season the franchise will look for various opportunities to celebrate Blyleven’s hall of fame selection.  “We will also celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the 1991 World Series championship team,” he said.

With a limit of 25,000 tickets, the Twins have sold out TwinsFest January 28-30.  The annual three-day fan event was moved to the National Sports Center in Blaine because of the collapsed roof at the Metrodome.  Instead of working with about 100,000 square feet at the dome, the Twins will have about 40,000 less footage in Blaine, according to Klinger.

More than 60 current, former and future Twins are expected to attend including Blyleven who will sign autographs.  Harmon Killebrew, who recently announced he has esophageal cancer, will not attend TwinsFest, among the most popular fan events in major league baseball.

The franchise drew a record season attendance during its first year at Target Field.  Klinger said season ticket renewals are “close” to 95 percent. “Unless people move or die they’re not dropping their tickets,” he said.  “Many are upgrading (their seat locations).”

The club will again limit season ticket sales to about 25,000, allowing single game buyers and groups to purchase tickets also.

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Do the Twins have interest in free agent starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman?  He’s had his career ups and downs but the Twins’ starting rotation is unsettled and in need of candidates.

Former Twins first round draft choice Kyle Gibson might be a breakthrough starter in 2011.

Sports Headliners reader Matt Stoneking emailed that the Vikings “probably are about the 20^th best team in the NFL as their (6-10) record indicates.”  He writes that every loss, except to the 6-10 Lions, was against a team with a better record.  Every win, except a victory over the 10-6 Eagles, was versus a team with an equivalent or worse record than Minnesota’s.  Seven of 10 losses and one win (the Eagles) were against clubs that made the playoffs.

With an unhappy Devoe Joseph transferring from the Gophers it seemingly becomes easier to understand why his highly sought younger brother, Cory, chose Texas and not Minnesota coming out of high school last year.

Gophers Goal Line club president Bob Hughes emailed that his group will have a “meet and greet” with new coach Jerry Kill on Saturday, January 22 at TCF Bank Stadium.  Then on Wednesday, February 2 the group will stage the National Signing Day Social at the Gophers football complex.  Kill will preview his 2011 recruiting class and there will be a highlight film.  Kill will be the Grand Marshall in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade on Saturday, February 5.

Among the Gophers problems in recent seasons has been third down conversions.  Last season Minnesota ranked No. 68 in the country in that category while Kill’s former team, Northern Illinois, was No. 7.

Wild assistant general manager Brent Flahr and Houston Aeros head coach Mike Yeo were both recognized in The Hockey News “Top 40 Under 40” list.  The list, published in the January 17 issue, recognizes hockey people growing in influence.

The first Campbell/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men’s National Team Rankings of 2011 have nine Big Ten teams in the top 75 including Ohio State at No. 4 and Minnesota at No. 33.

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