Frazier Landed the Right Minnesota Job
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.
