Per Chip Scoggins on Twitter, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is interested in the Minnesota Golden Gophers Head Coaching position.
As many Vikings fans know, Frazier has been an excellent defensive coordinator with the purple. In 2007 and 2008 the Vikings had the #1 run defense in the NFL and in 2009 the Vikings were one of the best overall defenses in the league. Many believe that he is long overdue for a Head Coaching position in either the college or the pros. Last season he spoke with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks on their openings before those positions were filled. There were some discussions in league circles if Frazier was interviewed to satisfy the Rooney Rule (where a minority candidates must be interviewed for head coaching opening).
Also do not forget Tony Dungy’s ties to his alma mater. Dungy hired Frazier as a defensive assistant in 2005 to be the Defensive Backs Coach for the Indianapolis Colts where he stayed through 2007. Frazier joined the Vikings following the Colts defeating of Frazier’s former team, the Chicago Bears, in Super Bowl XLI. The Gophers value Dungy’s input towards his alma mater and it’s widely believed that Frazier would have been hired by Dungy had he become the Seattle Seahawks President rather than staying in the broadcast booth with NBC.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Frazier would obviously be a top choice for the Golden Gophers vacancy, but with several NFL coaches on the hot seat (Tom Cable, Eric Mangini, John Fox, Wade Phillips and Jack Del Rio) his name is bound to come in conversation there as well.
Jon Merckle may be followed on Twitter @thevikingpig