Mike Tice

Mike Tice was hired after the 2001 season in which Dennis Green led the Vikings to a less then respectable 5-10 start. Tice was called upon to replace Green after he resigned after the teams 10th loss. Tice lost the only game he coached that season and left the Vikings at 5-11. The following season the Vikings interviewed a number of candidates, but, decided to stay in-house and hire Tice as the new head coach. The next season there was a stipulation to Tice's contract; the Vikings had to win one more game in order for Tice to keep his position as head coach. At one point the Vikings were 3-10 and Tice's future looked all but brief in Minnesota. But, following that the team won 3 straight and finished the season 6-10 and having one more win then the previous season. The next season proved to be more disappointing then that; as the team started the season an incredible 6-0 and atop of the NFC. Everything looked great and the team looked like a Super Bowl contender; until a 4 game losing streak came, including an embarrassing loss to the 1-7 San Diego Chargers. Things started to fall apart in Minnesota even though they had a 6-4 overall record. As the season unfolded they had a win-loss finish that led them to a showdown with the 3-12 Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings were 9-6 and had the NFC North in their hands as they had to go through the heavily under-dogged Cardinals. After a back and forth battle the Vikings found them self ahead 17-12. With 0 time left and a 4th and 25 for the Cardinals, it seemed as though the Vikings would leave with a playoff spot and a vision title. But, as the Vikings started to celebrate and move on Josh McCown hit a barely open receiver for a 20 yard touchdown with no time left. The play was reviewed and ruled a push out. The Vikings went on to lose 18-17 and failed to reach the post-season after a 6-0 start. The following season was just as tumultuous after a 5-1 start the Vikings dropped to 8-8, but, made the post-season as a wild card contender. In the opening round the Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers, and division rivals, 31-17 to earn themselves a spot in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Vikings went on to lose 27-14 to the Eagles in the next round. The following season proved to be the most controversial under head coach Mike Tice. He was embarrassed by a ticket scalping incident that involved him selling tickets to the Super Bowl to friends for a large amount of money. The Vikings were heavily considered to be Super Bowl favorites; but, after a 0-2 start skeptics started to question Mike Tice's ability to lead the team. After the Vikings continued to spiral downward to 2-5 it appeared clear that Tice's time with the team was short. However, a knee injury to Daunte Culpepper gave veteran Brad Johnson a chance to lead the team. Johnson led a 6 game winning streak that brought the Vikings to 8-5 and a front runner to grab a wild card spot in the playoffs. But, following consecutive losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Vikings were all but eliminated from post-season contention. After a season 34-10 home victory over the Chicago Bears, Mike Tice was fired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He compiled a 32-33 record and a 1-1 record in the playoffs. He has recently been hired by old friend and head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jack Del Rio.