Vikings Stick With Tice

Mike Tice was hired as coach of the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday and took firm control immediately, shaking up his staff amid a report that he would hire disgraced George O’Leary as an assistant.

Tice dismissed a fifth assistant, challenged starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper to get better and promised that none of his players would loaf.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press, citing team sources, reported on its Web site that Tice plans to make O’Leary his defensive line coach. O’Leary coached Tice at Central Islip High in Long Island, N.Y.

O’Leary, who quit five days after being hired as Notre Dame coach when he was found to have lied on his resume, declined Thursday to confirm the report in an interview with Associated Press.

Pressed on whether he was discussing a job with Tice, O’Leary said: “I’ve spoken to Michael, but I have not done anything at all with Minnesota.”

He said he expected to talk to Tice again.

“I’m going to listen to some people,” O’Leary said. “Mike’s one of the ones I want to talk to.”

Tice didn’t mention O’Leary at a news conference to introduce him as the replacement for Dennis Green, and he wasn’t available to reporters later in the day.

Tice, who coached the Vikings in their final game Monday, pledged a quick return to success for the Vikings after a 5-11 season. He spoke sternly, confidently and candidly about his vision for the team in a manner rarely shown by his predecessor.

Green was ousted last week, agreeing with owner Red McCombs on a buyout of the two years left on his contract. McCombs alluded to the perception that Green had lost control of the team.

Receiver Randy Moss was a large part of that issue. He had his least productive season, was fined several times by the league and the team, and said twice that he plays hard only when he wants.

Special teams coach Gary Zauner was let go Thursday.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Viking Coaches

Mike Tice is the sixth head coach for the Minnesota Vikings. His predecessors:

*--*

Years Coach Record Win pct. 1992-2001 Dennis Green 97-62-0 .610 1986-91 Jerry Burns 52-43-0 .547 1984 Les Steckel 3-13 .188 1967-83, ’85 Bud Grant 158-96-5 .610 1961-66 Norm Van Brocklin 29-51-4 .360

*--*