Tice's option picked up for 2005

[Durango53]

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice will return for at least one more year.



Owner Red McCombs told Tice in a phone call Monday that he would pick up the coach's $1 million option for 2005. The Vikings have lost six of their last nine games, but at 8-7 still have a shot at the playoffs.



"Although our expectation of winning the division was not met, we feel that the program Mike Tice has guided gives us the talent base to have to success today and in the future," McCombs said in a statement. "Our expectations are high for the upcoming playoffs and for next year."




Tice would have become a free agent Jan. 31 if the club had not exercised the option by Saturday -- one day before the team's regular-season finale at Washington. The extension ends much speculation about Tice's future.



Tice is 23-25 since replacing Dennis Green before the last game of the 2001 season.



"I think it will be good for the players, because they won't have to hear [about the contract] all week," Tice said.



The Vikings can clinch a wild-card berth, and end a three-year playoff drought, with a St. Louis loss Monday night. They also could make the playoffs outright with a victory at Washington

[Timberwolf]

I am okay with Tice coming back next year. He is not getting an long-term extension yet which IMO, he has not earned that. His option for next year is being picked up so he will be here next year.

I still want to see lot of improvements in Tice's coaching next year though.

Oh and the Vikings are stuck with Cottrell for one more year since Billy Joe McCombs (Red's real name) is not going to eat that money for next year. I think one of the reasons why Tice's option was picked up was because Billy Joe did not want to pay a new coach millions so it made sense for him to pick up Tice's option in a business sense.

That also means we are stuck with Linehan's incomptency.

I just hope Tice can win a playoff game this year if his team has what it takes. Vikings need something to build heading to next season and I feel winning a playoff game is a building block for this foundation.