MIKE TICE
Game 435 | November 17, 1992 | Cris Carter, Todd Scott, Mike Tice
Let go by the Philadelphia Eagles after the 1989 season, Carter signed with the Vikings and went on to be leading receiver in the team's history. With Rich Gannon and Sean Salisbury alternating at quarterback, Carter emerged in 1992 as the team's leading receiver. Tice, a tight end who would become the team's head coach a decade later, joined the team in 1992 after stints with Seattle and Washington. Scott, the team's starting safety, was a sixth-round draft choice in 1991.
Game 598 | March 14, 2002 | Mike Tice
The popular former tight end took over as interim Vikings coach when Dennis Green was fired before the final game of the 2001 season. Tice was named head coach in January 2002 and held the job through the end of the 2005 season. In Tice's final season as head coach the team's record improved a single win, from 5-11 in 2001 to 6-10 in 2002.
Game 623 | September 16, 2003 | Mike Tice
The Vikings improved to 9-7 in their second full season under Coach Tice. Defensive lineman Kevin Williams and linebacker E.J. Henderson were the team's two top draft choices. The passing combination of Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss supplied most of the offensive pressure, but the running game languished with Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith getting most of the carries.
Game 639 | September 7, 2004 | Mike Tice
The Vikings finished the regular season 8-8, but won a playoff game over Green Bay at Lambeau Field before losing at Philadelphia. Randy Moss caught 13 touchdown passes from Duante Culpepper while Onterrio Smith led the team in rushing. Second-year defensive tackle Kevin Williams had 12 sacks, but a weak draft class produced little help for future years.
Game 658 | July 26, 2005 | Mike Tice
This was a major transition year for the Vikings. Randy Moss was traded to Oakland, an injured Daunte Culpepper gave way to veteran Brad Johnson at quarterback. Running back Onterrio Smith was released after multiple drug offenses, and Mewelde Moore and Michael Bennett shared rushing duties. First-round draft choices Troy Williamson and Eramus James proved to be of little help. Despite that, the team finished 9-7, but Tice was dismissed at the end of season after four years as head coach.
WIKIPEDIA: Mike Tice
