jimster Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Vikings Fire Cottrell, Consider Tomlin for Defensive Coordinator http://sports.iwon.com/news/01092006/v7012.html Jan 9, 8:02 PM (ET) Email this Story By JON KRAWCZYNSKI MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Newly hired Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and is considering Tampa Bay assistant Mike Tomlin for the job. Cottrell, who helped turn the Vikings' weakest link into a strength over the second half of last season, was interviewed for the head coaching job before the Vikings hired Childress. Childress has declined to discuss specific candidates, but said he already had a staff in mind when he was hired to replace the fired Mike Tice late last week, and Bucs coach Jon Gruden confirmed Minnesota's interest in Tomlin on Monday. "Mike Tomlin is a candidate, obviously, in Minnesota," Gruden said. Tomlin, 33, has been the defensive backs coach in Tampa since 2001. Cottrell was fired Sunday. Vikings ownership, including brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf, moved quickly to hire Childress away from the Philadelphia Eagles, hoping that it would give him a head start on the race for the best available assistants. Seven other teams are still looking for head coaches after Kansas City hired Herman Edwards away from the New York Jets on Monday. "I think it is great to be the first one out of the box and I think again that is a credit to the Wilfs because you have to staff that team," Childress said. "We get a first swing at the guys that we want to be able to go after." Childress has plenty of work to do. He reportedly will not retain receivers coach Wes Chandler, running backs coach Dean Dalton, quarterbacks coach Rich Olson, assistant defensive line and special teams coach Jim Panagos, assistant secondary coach Kevin Ross, tight ends coach John Tice or special teams coach Rusty Tillman. Childress also needs an offensive coordinator and offensive line coach after Steve Loney, who held both positions, decided to take an offensive line coach job with Arizona. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westbrook36 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Childress is going to be exactly like Andy Reid. Merciless when it comes to football decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Special teams coach Rusty Tillman sure has made the rounds in NFL circles. Geez. Rich Olson, former Redskins QB coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y100Rocks Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Glad he isn't looking to take any Eagles coaches away right now. Don't even think about any jokes here btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tr1 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Without the Vikes in the fray for two years, look for Chicago to dominate the division for a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 Without the Vikes in the fray for two years, look for Chicago to dominate the division for a few years. they'll be the only team in that division without a new coach next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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