ESPN REPORT: Sad News, Minnesota Vikings head coach has been issued a
Minneapolis, Minnesota Under Mike Tice’s leadership, the Minnesota Vikings turned into a laughingstock thanks to a ticket scalping incident, the infamous lake trip, and a Whizzinator in between.
Tice’s career is ended because there were not enough victories to make up for the ugly.
After Sunday’s win over Chicago ended a dismal 9-7 season in which the Vikings, a popular preseason pick to win the Super Bowl, missed the playoffs, owner Zygi Wilf dismissed Tice.
The few players still present in the stadium on Sunday were taken aback by the timing and style of the announcement, even though it wasn’t unexpected.
Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com was informed by a number of players and Tice’s close associates that the coach was fired shortly after addressing the media and his team. Tice walked to his tiny office that was close to the home locker room at the Metrodome. There, he was visited by Wilf and Wilf’s brother Mark, who has a minority stake in the team. They informed him that they had decided not to extend his contract.
Furthermore, Tice was fired after attempting to speak with Wilf about his employment situation for the most of last week.
Tice was frustrated that he was unable to tell the majority of his players directly—many of them had already left the locker room by the time the firing was made public.
When the majority of the players had left for home, a team executive gave reporters a two-paragraph press release while they were in the Vikings locker room.
Kick returner for the Pro Bowl Koren Robinson had to gather himself before he could say anything, mumbling something like, “Whoa, that’s crazy,” as he studied the statement at his locker.
Following a defeat to the Panthers in Week 8, Tice’s popularity rating plummeted to an embarrassing 9 percent. However, Tice’s seven-game winning streak to end the season propelled him back into the black. A 52 percent rating was earned by the Bears defeat in the season finale. Sadly, Zygi Wilf, the owner of the Vikings, held the only vote that counted. ( Cast a ballot)
“In the changing area? soon after you had won a game?”
stated Robinson. “Give the man respect enough to wait until Monday to enjoy the win at least.”
Pro Bowl security Darren Sharper flung the release onto the floor, crumpled it up, and then walked away without saying anything. Mewelde Moore curtly declined to remark as well.
Prior to the announcement of the move, Tice, who finished with a 33-34 overall record (including a 1-1 record in the postseason), spoke with the media. Long after the game ended, reporters waited for him, and the coach grinned amiably and expressed no resentment at how things had been handled.
Tice, whose eyes were wet, remarked, “It’s unfortunate that I won’t be able to work with the Wilfs.” “I believe they will be excellent owners. I’m really proud of many of the things we’ve managed to do using the resources provided to us.”
Tice was one of three NFL coaches fired after Sunday’s games; sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and The Associated Press that the Houston Texans intended to remove Dom Capers, and Dick Vermeil announced his retirement in Kansas City.
Most of Tice’s term was characterized by controversies and streaks.
The NFL fined him $100,000 last summer for selling his Super Bowl tickets, and running back Onterrio Smith was found at the airport using a contraband device known as the “Original Whizzinator,” which was meant to evade drug testing. The worst blow, though, was probably revealed to have been a wild boat party during this season’s team bye week, which resulted in four players being charged with misdemeanors.
On the field, Tice’s Vikings were erratic, prone to both lengthy winning streaks and catastrophic collapses. In 2003 and 2004, Minnesota had winning starts at 6-0 and 5-1, respectively, but lost their last 10 games of both seasons 3-7. The Vikings started the season 2–5, but they won six straight before dropping their next two games to eliminate themselves from the postseason picture.
Wilf stated in the announcement, “We feel that this is the right time to make a coaching change after significant evaluation.”
Although Wilf had previously stated that Tice’s employment status will be discussed on Monday at the team’s offices, the release was sent out just before 7 p.m. central time. By that time, the owner had left, and he had set up a Monday afternoon press conference.
Quarterback Brad Johnson stated, “It’s the owner’s decision,” as he and his family departed the stadium. It’s a challenging industry, and I value Mike’s treatment of both the team and myself. I hope he achieves greatness.”
Tice has praised the Wilf family for their assistance since acquiring the team from Red McCombs in the previous summer. He also talked highly of his 13 years in Minnesota, having started out as a tight end in 1992 and worked his way up to offensive line coach, tight ends coach, and, in a somewhat shocking move, head coach following Dennis Green’s dismissal in January 2002.
“I don’t know who was more shaken by it, him or me,” Tice remarked following an emotional press conference with Wilf following Sunday’s 34-10 victory over the Bears.
“I’m obviously hurt. Tice remarked, “I’m a man, not a machine.” “I put a lot of time into this organization, and had a lot of good times, and some bad times.”
His only regret was having to tell his wife about the news over the phone as she was being questioned about the rumors in the Metrodome parking lot.
Tice remarked, “I would have liked to savor the victory.”
With a smile on his face and his head held high, he left the Dome, unsure of what lay ahead. He stated that he will make a decision initially keeping in mind that his son will be a senior in high school the following year.
Tice paused before responding, “Yeah, if the right job comes up,” when asked if he would coach again.
His short-term intentions were a bit more obvious.
“Go home and let my wife cry on my shoulder, I guess.”
This report included information from The Associated Press.
